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  • Report

Enhancing education through learning for sustainability: an explorative review of broader benefits

Details

Identification
ISBN: 978-92-68-19546-8, DOI: 10.2766/350817, Catalogue number: NC-02-24-809-EN-N
Publication date
24 March 2025
Authors
Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture | Network of Experts on the Social dimension of Education and Training (NESET)
Geographical scope
  • European Union
Level of education focus
  • Early childhood education and care (ECEC)
  • School education
Thematic areas covered
  • Learning for sustainability (learning for the green transition)

Description

Learning for sustainability (LfS) encompasses holistic, interdisciplinary experiences that equip learners with essential sustainability competences. The 2018 Council Recommendation on key competences for lifelong learning emphasises improving, among others, basic skills (such as literacy and numeracy), competences in STEM, and digital competences, while fostering citizenship and appreciating cultural diversity. 

This study aims to explore how LfS contributes to those broader learning outcomes, particularly in (pre-)primary and secondary education. The present report reveals some broader learning benefits of LfS related to basic skills, transversal skills, psychological benefits, and institutional benefits. Many studies have reported these benefits within the context of outdoor, nature-based learning for sustainability settings.

Authors

Saphia Zenasni; Lise Janssens; Iris Stiers; Jill Surmont; Joost Vaesen; Tom Kuppens

Cite as

European Commission: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, Zenasni, S., Janssens, L., Stiers, I., Surmont, J. et al., Enhancing education through learning for sustainability – An explorative review of broader benefits – Analytical report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/350817

Files

  • 24 MARCH 2025
Enhancing education through learning for sustainability: an explorative review of broader benefits - Analytical report
  • 24 MARCH 2025
Enhancing education through learning for sustainability: an explorative review of broader benefits - Executive summary