The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to achieve peace through international cooperation in education, science and culture. 

Its response to climate change includes education as part of the ESD roadmap for 2030.

In 2019, the General Assembly of UNESCO decided, under the proposal of the French Government, to establish the Office for Climate Education as a category 2 center under the auspices of UNESCO. This status was formalized in 2020 by a partnership agreement between UNESCO and the French Ministry of Education.

Although independent from UNESCO, category 2 institutes and centers are privileged partners. They form a global network of institutions of excellence that contribute, through their expertise, to the implementation of UNESCO's priorities and programmes, through international and regional cooperation, research, knowledge production, policy advice and capacity building.

This institutionalization provides recognition of OCE's scientific and pedagogical expertise and strengthens its role in supporting public policies, particularly in emerging countries.