Education for sustainable development

Education for sustainable development (ESD) is UNESCO’s education sector response to the urgent and dramatic challenges the planet faces. The collective activities of human beings have altered the earth’s ecosystems so that our very survival seems in danger because of changes more difficult to reverse every day. To contain global warming before it reaches catastrophic levels means addressing environmental, social and economic issues in a holistic way. UNESCO’s ESD for 2030 education programme aims to bring about the personal and societal transformation that is necessary to change course. 

Acting as a global advocate and aiming to strengthen capacities of governments to provide quality Climate Change Education (CCE), UNESCO produces and shares knowledge, provides policy guidance and technical support to its Member States and implements projects on the ground. UNESCO encourages innovative approaches and enhances non-formal education programmes through media, networking and partnerships. 

• What you need to know about education for sustainable development

• Learning and assessing competencies in education for sustainable development: ESD-NET 2030 learning webinar (started in March 2023)
• Climate change education for social transformation: Greening teacher training and education systems’ capacities. On the road to COP29 (started in May 2024)