Abu Dhabi:The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has recognized schools across the emirate for their dedication to sustainability by awarding them Green Stars ratings for the 2025-2026 cycle as part of the Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI).
According to Wam, 133 schools participated in the initiative, with 84 qualifying for a Green Stars rating. Of these, 69 schools earned five stars or above. Seven schools achieved the prestigious seven-star rating, three received six stars, and 59 were awarded five stars. Additional schools received ratings ranging from one to four stars based on their performance and improvement in sustainability practices.
The Green Stars rating system evaluates schools on five components the Green School Audit, Eco Clubs, teacher training, field trips, and Lead Schools. The schools that earned a seven-star rating include Bayah School, Qatr Al Nada School, Al Awail Private School, Um Kolthoom Cycle 2-3, Al Ittihad National Private School - Khalifa City, Al Watan Charter School, and Ghayathi Common School.
Ahmed Baharoon, EAD's Executive Director of the Information, Science and Environmental Awareness Sector, emphasized the role of schools in incorporating sustainability into everyday life, highlighting the commitment of school leaders, teachers, and students in this cycle. Dr. Omar Al Dhaheri from the Ministry of Education praised the collaboration between the Ministry and EAD, which aims to transform sustainability concepts into daily practices within schools.
The initiative recorded significant progress, with schools recycling over one million litres of water and 336,266 kilogrammes of waste, and increasing green areas by 39 percent. The participation in Eco Clubs rose to 11,544 students, resulting in 1,308 projects. Additionally, over 7,600 teachers received environmental training, and more than 110,000 students participated in field trips.
Launched in 2009, SSI is a collaborative effort by EAD, ADEK, and the Ministry of Education to enhance environmental performance and integrate sustainability into education, encouraging community-wide action.
