Edinburgh tech firm to deliver climate change resource based on Sir David Attenborough’s four actions to save the planet into every Scottish school

“As we grow our base in Scotland, we’re proud to be launching One Planet in Scottish schools across the country.”

An Edinburgh e-learning specialist is to launch its digital climate change resource based on Sir David Attenborough’s four actions to reduce global warming into every Scottish school.

In what is being billed as a world first for Scotland, ITZA will roll out its One Planet digital package on climate change and how to protect the planet - an online programme that helps teachers facilitate independent learning on building a sustainable economy to be delivered into every school.

The learning resource is based on Attenborough’s four actions to change the way we live to reduce the effects of global warming and preserve the natural world - eliminate waste, go net zero, revive the oceans and rewild the world. One Planet will be delivered by ITZA with content partners including the BBC, GettyImages, HarperCollins, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and NatureScot.

Scottish Building Society CEO Paul Denton and ITZA CEO Anthony Bouchier with pupils from West Calder High School, West Lothian. Picture by Stewart Attwood

The Edinburgh tech firm has also signed up the Scottish Building Society as its first commercial partner for the One Planet programme, supporting the production of key digital learning modules on “purposeful” investment and financial literacy to help teenagers learn about opportunities in a sustainable economy. One Planet will be delivered into every Scottish state school on Glow - the national intranet of Education Scotland - before a global roll-out commencing in 2025. That further push should see the learning resource be integrated with Microsoft and Google’s education platforms, which are collectively used by more than 300 million young people worldwide.

ITZA chief executive and founder Anthony Bouchier said: “As we grow our base in Scotland, we’re proud to be launching One Planet in Scottish schools across the country. We have already tested elements of the resources in around 100 countries, and next year will see us scale One Planet to English-speaking schools around the world.”

Scottish Building Society chief executive Paul Denton said: “Scottish Building Society is passionate about teaching children the important role financial understanding and financial planning will have throughout their lives. More than 70 per cent of teenagers see the move to net zero as the defining issue of the time. We want to help give a clear view on the challenges we face and build the skills our young people need to thrive in a net zero economy.”

As part of the programme, two young Scots will be selected to attend the Villars Institute’s annual Villars Symposium in Switzerland later in June, where young leaders and “ecopreneurs” from across the world will address how to accelerate the transition to net zero. School children aged ten and above can now apply for one of the fellowships with the institute.

Lee Howell, executive director of the Villars Institute, said: “The challenges facing our planet clearly require intergenerational solutions and we have selected Scotland to pioneer our move to help teens see the great opportunities ahead as the world moves towards a net zero and nature positive economy.”

In February, ITZA secured £2 million of research and development grant and equity funding from Scottish Enterprise, Alba Equity and private investors to grow a digital learning, production, and AI analytics hub in Scotland.

Edinburgh venture secures £2 million funding to grow digital learning hub in Scotland