The theme of environmental sustainability has become central in education debates worldwide. New generations show a great interest in the current environmental challenges but require the right tools to turn this engagement into concrete actions.
The GreenComp
The Green Competence Framework (GreenComp) is a European framework for sustainability competencies and embodies the ambitions outlined in the European Green Deal, emphasizing the importance of learning for environmental sustainability. GreenComp promotes education and training for the development of skills, including the renewal and professional retraining.
It is a response to the urgent need for individuals to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for sustainable living, working, and acting. It serves as a reference framework providing a common understanding of sustainability as a competence for learners and guidance for educators. Designed to support education and training programs for lifelong learning across all age groups and educational levels, GreenComp aims to foster a sustainability mindset. It enables systemic and critical thinking and empowers individuals to act responsibly towards the planet.
The framework is structured around four interconnected areas: embodying sustainability values, embracing complexity in sustainability, envisioning sustainable futures, and acting for sustainability. Each area encompasses three interlinked competences, promoting values like fairness and nature, skills like systems and critical thinking, future-oriented perspectives such as adaptability, and actionable approaches including individual initiative.
Developed through extensive research and stakeholder consultation, GreenComp, it serves as a versatile tool for curriculum review, teacher education program design, self-assessment, policy development, and monitoring, contributing to the EU’s goals of achieving climate neutrality and fostering environmental sustainability through education and training.
This new approach to education recognizes sustainability as a “school subject” through which students, in addition to knowing the facts, learn to develop a deep, empathetic understanding and the ability to translate knowledge into meaningful actions.
The Unesco’s Green Schools
Green Schools, an initiative managed by the Unesco organization, embodies the principles of sustainable education through an institutional-level approach. This means that climate change can be addressed not only through teaching and learning but also through school facilities and operations, governance, and community partnerships. Green Schools aims to develop knowledge and skills related to the social, economic, cultural, and environmental aspects of sustainable development. Achieving Green School certification demonstrates a school’s commitment to integrating sustainability values into all aspects of school life, such as reducing energy consumption, recycling, promoting eco-friendly transportation, and introducing organic food through the cultivation of internal school gardens. This will contribute to the Partnership for Green Schools by developing a quality standard for Green Schools, aiming to transform at least 50% of schools in each country into Green Schools by 2030.
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is more than just a school subject: it is a transformative way of learning and living. ESD provides students with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to make informed decisions and act responsibly, promoting environmental integrity, economic sustainability, and social equity.
The goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.
In fact the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to eradicate poverty through the implementation of 17 Goals (SDGs). Among these goals, education is fundamental to achieving them all and corresponds to SDG 4, which refers to inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. The “ESD 2030” framework emphasizes that education plays a key role in achieving the SDGs. Its purpose is to support stronger education and learning in all other activities that help sustain development.
One of the major challenges in the field of sustainability education is that, although many teachers recognize the need to teach about climate change, most do not have the training or resources to do so. While the vast majority of these appreciate the need to educate students on climate and sustainability issues, only half are able to integrate these issues into their classroom practices.
To this purpose, UNESCO supports teachers with the ESD for 2030 Teacher Training, that allows them to integrate Education for Sustainable Development into their courses.
The completion of this educational transformation will depend on collaboration among governments, educational institutions, local communities, and international organizations.
Today’s students are already engaged and motivated to make a difference. With the right tools, proper training, and institutional support, they will be able to tackle global challenges with creativity, critical thinking, and a deep commitment to a sustainable future. Transforming education is the key to unlocking the potential of this generation and future ones, guiding us towards a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient world.