Comparative review of the application of education for sustainable development in secondary education in Europe

School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Hellenic Open University, 26335, Patra, Greece

^* Corresponding author: gareiou@latpee.eap.gr

Abstract

Education for sustainable development is a key pillar in the effort to achieve a sustainable society. Education for sustainable development is a holistic and transformative learning process that aims to bring about changes both in school and in society and to shape responsible and active citizens. It is necessary to enable societies to face the challenges that come and are connected to the environmental, social and economic crisis. This paper is a comparative review that explores the ways in which sustainable development education is implemented in secondary schools in Europe. The study of the pedagogical methods chosen by each country in order to integrate the principles of sustainable development into its school curriculum demonstrates that despite the differences that exist, the similarities prevail, which mainly concern experiential learning, the connection of the school with the local community and in the development of cooperation networks. Barriers that exist are also common across countries, mainly the absence of teachers’ knowledge about sustainable development, the inadequate teacher training, the limited financial resources, and the voluntary participation of teachers and students in sustainable development actions and programs.