Find out why these UAE schools have become ‘Green Stars’

Abu Dhabi: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has recognised several schools across the UAE for their sustainable practices.

As part of its Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI), the EAD used its Green Stars Rating system to categorise schools based on their achievements during the 2023-2024 school cycle. The system follows a two-phase process: each school’s report on all SSI components is compiled and assigned a colour – green, yellow, orange, or red – based on its score, with green representing the highest category.

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Schools are given one year to improve after submitting their reports for the first time, making them eligible to receive the Green Stars rating. This rating system ranges from five stars (awarded to the best-performing schools) to one star (awarded to schools that have significant improvements to make).

Green star schools

Among those who achieved five stars were second-time high achievers in SSI cycle 2022-2024, including Al Awail Private School, Al Siddique School, Al Ain Juniors School, Al Huiteen, Bayah School, GEMS United Indian School, Institute of Applied Technology, International Community Schools Mushrif Campus, Mayoor Private School and Umm Kulthum Cycle 3.

Schools that earned four stars were Dunes International School, Abu Dhabi Indian School – Muroor, Abu Dhabi and Al Ittihad National Private School – Abu Dhabi.

Schools that achieved four and five stars implemented a range of eco-friendly initiatives, including assessing and addressing their environmental performance via the Green audit. This audit helps schools identify their current standing and target future improvements based on environmental standards. Schools then set annual targets to reduce their impacts and improve environmental performance.

Schools that achieved three stars were Repton Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Arab Pakistan School Abu Dhabi and Private International English School.

Rasha Ali Al Madfai, Director of the Environmental Awareness Department, Environmental Information, Science, and Outreach Management at EAD, said schools were recognised for their efforts in adopting sustainable practices within their operations and classrooms.

“Our initiative aims to encourage the spread of environmental awareness beyond barriers, ensuring that members of the community are following the best practices in environmental sustainability,” the director added.

Shaping a green future

Sheela Nair from Mayoor School, which achieved five stars, underlined that developing an eco-conscious mindset in students is essential for shaping a better tomorrow. “Our goal is to empower them to lead with responsibility and innovation, ensuring that sustainability becomes a cornerstone of their future endeavours,” she said.

Bindhu Zachariah from GEMS United Indian School, which also achieved five stars, said: “We are committed to carrying the message of sustainability forward and ensuring our students, who are our future leaders, engage with a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship and take active roles in driving positive change for a sustainable future.”

The SSI is a holistic programme designed to foster eco-consciousness in UAE schools by engaging students, parents and educators. It includes four core components that work together to promote environmental stewardship: the Green School Audit, Eco Clubs, Training of Trainers and Field Trips.

The initiative is organised under the umbrella of EAD’s naha digital platform, which was created to turn environmental intentions into meaningful actions and provides youth and community members opportunities to engage in activities that motivate action towards sustainable outcomes.

Green rating

For SSI first-year participants, each school’s report of all SSI components is compiled and assigned a colour (green, yellow, orange or red) based on its score. Schools that score 70 per cent or more receive a Green Rating, which means that the schools are advancing in the initiative, with the possibility of obtaining a five-star rating in the following years.