1. Getting EE right
2. Visions, Aims and Objectives of EE
• EE Objectives
• Some Principles of EE
• Core Themes of EE
3. Strategies and Working Frameworks
4. Implications of the SDGs
5. Resources within the GDRC

EE Objectives

• Participation - to provide individuals, groups and societies with opportunities to be actively involved in exercising their skills of environmental citizenship and be actively involved at all levels in working towards sustainable development.

• Knowledge - to help individuals, groups and societies gain a variety of experiences in, and a basic understanding of, the knowledge and action competencies required for sustainable development

• Values - to help individuals, groups and societies acquire feelings of concern for issues of sustainability as well as a set of values upon which they can make judgements about appropriate ways of acting individually and with others to promote sustainable development

• Skills - to help individuals, groups and societies acquire the action competence or skills of environmental citizenship - in order to be able to identify and anticipate environmental problems and work with others to resolve, minimise and prevent them

• Awareness - to create an overall understanding of the impacts and effects of behaviours and lifestyles - on both the local and global environments, and on the short-term and long-term.

Some Principles of EE

• EE should be a part of all education
  Environmental education (EE) should not be treated as a separate or standalone subject, but instead be integrated across all levels and disciplines of learning. Whether in science, economics, literature, or the arts, incorporating environmental perspectives helps students develop a holistic understanding of the world and their place in it. This integration ensures that environmental awareness and responsibility become a natural part of students' values and decision-making, rather than an optional add-on.

• Environmental problems are interdisciplinary
  Environmental challenges do not fit neatly into single academic categories; they are inherently interdisciplinary, cutting across science, politics, economics, ethics, and culture. Effective environmental education must therefore draw upon multiple fields to offer students a comprehensive view of issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, or pollution. This approach fosters systems thinking, encouraging learners to see connections, understand trade-offs, and work toward integrated solutions.

• Direct experience in the natural world is an essential part of EE
  First-hand interaction with nature is crucial for meaningful environmental learning. Outdoor activities, field visits, or hands-on conservation work help students build emotional and cognitive connections with the environment, deepening their sense of care and responsibility. Such experiential learning goes beyond textbooks, fostering curiosity, observation skills, and a lasting appreciation for ecological processes and the value of biodiversity.

• The way education happens is as important as content
  In environmental education, pedagogy matters as much as the information taught. Teaching methods should be participatory, inclusive, and reflective, encouraging dialogue, inquiry, and critical thinking. The process of learning must model the principles of sustainability itself?emphasizing collaboration, respect for diverse perspectives, and empowerment. This helps students not only absorb knowledge but also develop the confidence and skills needed to act on it.

Core Themes of EE

• 1. Lifelong learning

  The potential for learning about sustainability throughout one's life exists both within formal and nonformal educational settings.

• 2. Interdisciplinary approaches

  Education for sustainability provides a unique theme to integrate content and issues across disciplines and curricula.

• 3. Systems thinking

  Learning about sustainability offers an opportunity to develop and exercise integrated systems approaches.

• 4. Partnerships

  Partnerships forged between educational institutions and the broader community are key to advancing education for sustainability.

• 5. Multicultural perspectives

  Achieving sustainability is dependent upon an understanding of diverse cultural perspectives and approaches to problem solving.

• 6. Empowerment

  Lifelong learning, interdisciplinary approaches, systems thinking, partnerships, and multicultural perspectives empower individuals and institutions to contribute to sustainability.

These underlying themes lay the foundation for a set of strategic actions and initiatives outlined in report, "Education for Sustainability: An Agenda for Action"

Return to the EE Coverpage Contact: Hari Srinivas - hsrinivas@gdrc.org