The comment co-authored by Francesc Baro and Elsa Gallez is titled "Greening schools for climate-resilient, inclusive and liveable cities". It is based on the results of the COOLSCHOOLS project. The paper is available for the subscribed users here.
The article highlights the transformative potential of turning school environments into nature-based climate shelters. Such interventions not only mitigate extreme heat and increase urban greening but also foster children’s well-being, equitable access to nature, environmental education, and community cohesion. Drawing on evidence from European and international cities, the authors show that participatory, biodiverse, and climate-adapted schoolyards enhance thermal comfort, biodiversity, and socio-cultural outcomes while addressing structural inequalities in access to green spaces. The Comment emphasises that schoolyards should be designed and maintained as inclusive, climate-resilient hubs that integrate learning, health, and sustainability objectives, positioning schools as catalysts for broader urban transformation and climate justice.
Citation: Ruiz-Mallén, I., Baró, F., Bentouhami, H. et al. Greening schools for climate-resilient, inclusive and liveable cities. Nat. Clim. Chang. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02519-3
