This background paper to the working paper, "Toward Climate-Smart Education Systems: A 7-Dimension Framework for Action" (ED631326), lays out a conceptual framework for a climate-responsive and nature-positive education system for the lower-income countries that the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and its sectoral partners support. An overall thrust of the conceptual framework is to bring together diverse communities of practice working at the nexus of climate change, environmental conservation and protection, and education to delineate a more systemic and joined-up approach to maximize complementary between currently siloed approaches and initiatives. This paper features noteworthy examples primarily from lower-income countries that GPE supports, both in the main text and in appendix 1. An annotated list of selected tool kits and guidance documents forms appendix 2. [This report was written with David Selby.]