Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM), in partnership with the 1M1B Foundation (One Million for One Billion), has convened the 1.5 Matters UAE–India Sustainable Schools Leadership Forum under the theme ‘Net Zero Schools.’
The forum held at the ADSM campus brought together more than 50 participants from six Abu Dhabi schools, including student delegations, teachers, government representatives, and sustainability stakeholders.
Designed as a student-centric leadership platform, the event focused on strengthening sustainability practices within school ecosystems, showcasing best practices, and empowering youth-driven climate initiatives aligned with global Net Zero objectives.
The forum commenced with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ADSM and 1M1B, formalizing a strategic partnership to advance youth-led sustainability education.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Marc Poulin, Acting President of ADSM, and Manav Subodh, Founder of 1M1B, in the presence of Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at ADSM.
The event was attended by Dr. Richard John O’Brien Perry, Advisor to the Secretary General’s Office at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), and Dr. Mahima Mishra, Associate Professor at ADSM, alongside senior education leaders and sustainability practitioners.
Youth-led climate innovation
A key highlight of the forum was the launch of the 1M1B Climate Action Toolkit and Tracking App — a proof-of-concept developed by Hrithik Manikandan, 1M1B Youth Champion and Sustainability Leader at Brighton College Abu Dhabi.
The digital framework is designed to help schools plan, implement, and measure campus-based climate projects in a structured and scalable manner.
The program featured discussions on energy efficiency measures, waste reduction strategies, and student-led awareness campaigns, as well as longer-term approaches, including curriculum integration, infrastructure adaptation, and community engagement.
Advancing the 1.5 matters movement
The forum forms part of the broader 1.5 Matters movement, a global youth-powered initiative curated by 1M1B Founder Manav Subodh. The initiative seeks to accelerate Net Zero action and keep global warming within 1.5°C by translating the Paris Agreement into practical, grassroots implementation.
Through the next phase of the program, participating schools will develop campus-based climate and Net Zero projects, with structured mentoring under 1M1B’s Youth Climate Diplomacy and 1.5 Matters platforms.
Selected student teams will have the opportunity to present their projects at the 10th 1M1B Impact Summit at the United Nations in Geneva in November 2026, providing an international platform for youth-led climate innovation.
Dr. Marc Poulin said the partnership reflects ADSM’s commitment to translating sustainability education into tangible action. He emphasized that the forum enables students to move beyond awareness and actively contribute to Net Zero solutions, equipping them with the leadership skills and mindset necessary for a climate-resilient future.
Manav Subodh underscored the role of young people as present-day climate changemakers, stating that mentoring schools and providing a pathway to showcase their work on a global stage strengthens youth climate diplomacy and amplifies local impact.
