Learning for the green transition and sustainable development – Recommendation

KEY POINTS

• The key role of schools, higher education and other education and training institutions in bringing about a successful, just and inclusive green transition is highlighted in a number of key European Union (EU) and international policy documents including:
  • the European Green Deal;
  • the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030;
  • the European education area initiative;
  • the European strategy for universities;
  • the European skills agenda;
  • the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization strategy – education for sustainable development for 2030.
• The recommendation is accompanied by a European Commission staff working document which serves as a handbook for practitioners, providing relevant examples and best practices from across Europe.
• GreenComp is a reference framework for sustainability competences. It provides a common ground to learners and guidance to educators, promoting an agreed definition of sustainability as an area of competence.

Main recommendations

The recommendation proposes a roadmap for EU Member States to support learning and teaching for the green transition and sustainable development in all phases of education and training. The main recommendations include:

• prioritising the green transition and sustainable development in education and training policies and programmes;
• giving all learners the opportunity to learn about the climate crisis and sustainability in both formal education and non-formal education (such as extra-curricular activities and youth work);
• mobilising national and EU funds to invest in green and sustainable equipment, resources and infrastructure;
• helping educators develop their knowledge and skills to teach about the climate crisis and sustainability;
• creating supportive learning environments for sustainability covering all the activities and operations of an educational institution and enabling teaching and learning that is hands-on, interdisciplinary and relevant to local concerns;
• actively involving students and staff, local authorities, youth organisations and the research and innovation community in learning about sustainability.

Role of the Commission

The Commission will help implement the recommendation through:

• peer learning and exchange on sustainability in education, including through:
  • the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European education area and beyond (2021–2030),
  • a dedicated EU Working Group on this topic;
• developing resources for educators and policymakers, including an online course for educators on whole-school sustainability initiatives on the new European school education platform;
• continuing to reinforce the green dimension of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes.

Financing

Financial support is available through Erasmus+, Horizon Europe and other EU funding programmes.