ISZL committed to sustainability

The International School of Zug and Lucerne (ISZL) was proud to be the only academic partner school at secondary level to participate in the first Zurich Climate Week, which was held from the 4th to the 9th May 2026.
 

The school thereby underscored its strong commitment to sustainability education and student-led action, particularly through the work of our High School Sustainability Lead, Dr. Zoe Badcock.

At the opening ceremony in the Zurich Opera House, our High School Principal and Assistant Principal represented the ISZL, together with educators, researchers, and thought leaders from across Switzerland. Among others, they heard climate scientist Johan Rockström speak. His message was clear: seven of the nine planetary boundaries have already been exceeded – a stark indication of the scale of the climate and biodiversity crisis.

As part of Zurich Climate Week, three Year 10 students presented their workshop, "Avalanche Safety: A Crash Course," at the ETH Zurich. Originally developed as part of the Youth Forum Switzerland Impact Labs, the workshop was now presented to a wider audience.

Students from the ISZL presented their sustainability projects at the Zurich Climate Week, and contributed their ideas for a more sustainable future.    Photo supplied / Lorna Graham

The workshop demonstrated how climate change is increasing risks in alpine regions, and encouraged participants to reflect on safety in the mountains and on responsible decision-making while skiing. Through interactive and playful activities, the students created an engaging learning experience, while simultaneously conveying essential avalanche safety principles.

The students reflected very positively on the experience. One student shared how special it was to present their work to an audience outside the ISZL community. Another said, "I am grateful to be at a school that allows me to present our work at such a prestigious institution." A further student emphasised the value of the public exchange: "It was great to spark genuine interest in avalanche safety among people outside our school community."

Report for the ISZL by Lorna Graham

Note:
The nine planetary boundaries are:
Climate change, Biosphere integrity, Land use, Freshwater change, Nutrients (biogeochemical flows), Ocean acidification, Atmospheric aerosol loading, Stratospheric ozone depletion and Pollution (novel entries).