Johannesburg School children learning about agriculture and farming

Education for sustainable development

Empowerment through knowledge, skills and values to protect the planet

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. 

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Empowering learners and teachers for climate action
2023
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Youth demands for quality climate change education
UNESCO
2022
UNESCO
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Berlin Declaration on Education for Sustainable Development; Learn for our planet: act for sustainability
UNESCO
2022
UNESCO
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Education for sustainable development: a roadmap
UNESCO
2020
UNESCO
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Learn for our planet: a global review of how environmental issues are integrated in education
UNESCO
2021
UNESCO
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Getting every school climate-ready: how countries are integrating climate change issues in education
UNESCO
2021
UNESCO
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Trash hack action learning for sustainable development: a teacher's guide
UNESCO
2021
UNESCO
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GEM report logo wheel

Monitoring SDG 4: education for sustainable development

Resources from UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report.