Available now from the OECD is a PDF called “Empowered Citizens, Informed Consumers, and Skilled Workers: Designing Education and Skills Policies for a Sustainable Future“. The document was authored by Deborah Nusche and François Staring (Directorate for Education and Skills), and Marcia Rocha and Cian Montague (Environment Directorate) under the responsibility of Tia Loukkola and Andreas Schleicher of the OECD.
The document itself forms part of the OECD’s efforts in climate and economic resilience. In it the authors emphasize the role of education in addressing global environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
They conclude that education is a key transformative tool, spanning from early schooling to lifelong learning, with specific recommendations to empower citizens, encourage sustainable consumption, and develop green economy skills.
We looked into the document to see what further insights it holds.
Education as a Driver of Change
Education plays a vital role in shaping behaviors, fostering collective action, and cultivating the skills needed to address environmental challenges. It enables individuals to understand the complexities of climate change, the interconnectedness of ecological and societal systems, and the steps required to mitigate their impacts. This transformative potential extends across all stages of life, from primary education to lifelong learning.
Governments and educational institutions must adopt a life-span approach to sustainability education. This means integrating sustainability into early schooling, vocational training, higher education, and continuous learning opportunities. Without this comprehensive approach, society risks falling short in equipping individuals with the tools necessary to meet the urgent demands of the green transition.
Key insights:
- Holistic Lifecycle Approach: Sustainability education must extend beyond compulsory schooling to include vocational training and lifelong learning. Rapid societal and economic transformations necessitate widespread access to relevant educational resources across generations.
- Agency and Transversal Competencies: Empowering individuals requires understanding the interplay between ecological and societal systems. Transversal skills like scientific reasoning, systems thinking, and collaborative capabilities are essential. Case studies demonstrate the impact of embedding these competencies across curricula and integrating experiential and interdisciplinary learning.
- Just Transition and Green Careers: Transitioning to net-zero economies creates disparities in job security, emphasizing the need for robust education and skills policies. Vocational training and reskilling initiatives must align with the emerging demands of green industries while ensuring equity.
Denmark and Ireland have implemented innovative strategies to integrate sustainability into their educational frameworks, aligning with societal and economic transitions. Let’s have a look.
Denmark’s Initiatives Towards Education for a Sustainable Future
Denmark has taken significant steps to embed sustainability within its vocational education and training (VET) system. In 2022, the Danish government allocated approximately €13.44 million to incorporate the green transition into education and training programs. This funding supports the development of new teaching materials focused on sustainability, teacher training to enhance competencies in green subjects, and the establishment of knowledge centers dedicated to the green transition.
Building on these efforts, a 2024 agreement further strengthened Denmark’s commitment to sustainable education. The agreement includes financing for work-based learning, upskilling teachers in green competencies, promoting international learning mobility to acquire green skills, and introducing a green component in the final exams of VET students. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of specialized knowledge centers as hubs of expertise, providing resources and support to both students and teachers in integrating green skills into their curricula.
Ireland’s Approach Towards Education for a Sustainable Future
In Ireland, the government has set ambitious targets to reduce emissions across various sectors, including a 35% reduction for the enterprise sector by 2030. To support businesses in this transition, a €300 million fund has been established to drive decarbonization efforts. Because of this it is important to align educational frameworks with sustainability goals, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to meet these targets.
Encouraging Sustainable Consumption and Lifestyles
Sustainability education goes beyond the classroom to influence daily decisions and lifestyle choices. Teaching students to adopt informed, ethical consumption habits can significantly reduce their environmental footprint. For instance, place-based learning initiatives, such as community gardening projects or local clean-up drives, connect students to their environment and inspire actionable change.
Moreover, adult education programs play a crucial role in fostering sustainable behaviors. Adults, who wield decision-making power in households and workplaces, need targeted learning opportunities that address their unique contexts. Governments can bridge gaps in formal, non-formal, and informal learning by investing in science communication centers and public awareness campaigns. These efforts ensure that individuals across all age groups contribute to a more sustainable society.
Equipping Workers for the Green Transition
With the transition toward sustainability, labor markets face dramatic shifts. Policies aimed at achieving net-zero emissions are reshaping industries, creating high-skill green jobs, and phasing out emission-intensive sectors. Education systems must align with these changes to provide the workforce with relevant skills.
Currently, skill gaps hinder progress in green industries. For instance, sectors like renewable energy and sustainable construction report shortages of qualified workers. Vocational education and training (VET) programs can address these shortages by offering reskilling and upskilling opportunities tailored to local labor market demands. Countries like France and the Netherlands have successfully implemented regional lifelong learning ecosystems that prepare workers for sustainable careers.
However, not all green jobs are created equal. High-skill green occupations often offer competitive wages and job security, while low-skill roles may lack these benefits. To ensure equity, governments must enhance job quality in lower-skill sectors and provide targeted support for workers transitioning out of high-emission industries.
Bridging the Gap Between Learning and Action
Sustainability education must connect knowledge with actionable solutions. For instance, Australia’s “Centres of Vocational Excellence” support skills development by aligning education providers, industries, and local authorities. These partnerships ensure that training programs meet the evolving demands of green economies.
Governments can also promote interdisciplinary and experiential learning approaches. Programs like green labeling initiatives incentivize schools and universities to adopt sustainable practices. Additionally, embedding climate action into teacher training helps educators effectively integrate sustainability into their classrooms.
Recommendations for Transformative Change
To maximize the impact of sustainability education, governments and institutions should prioritize the following strategies:
- Adapt Curricula and Qualifications: Collaborate with stakeholders to integrate sustainability competencies across subjects and identify areas for improvement.
- Upskill Educators: Provide teachers with professional development opportunities that emphasize interdisciplinary approaches and sustainability goals.
- Scale Place-Based Learning: Expand experiential learning opportunities through community partnerships and whole-institution approaches.
- Enhance Career Guidance: Link educational pathways to green careers, empowering individuals to align their motivations with societal goals.
- Develop Inclusive Learning Ecosystems: Foster collaboration between vocational training, higher education, and industries to create accessible and relevant skill-building programs.
- Strengthen Skills Assessment: Use labor market insights to anticipate future demands and tailor education policies accordingly.
Urgent Action Needed
The challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution demand urgent action. Education holds the key to empowering individuals, fostering sustainable behaviors, and equipping workers for the green transition. By adopting a lifecycle approach to sustainability education, governments and institutions can ensure that everyone—from children to adults—has the tools to contribute to a resilient and equitable future. The transformation begins in the classroom but extends far beyond, shaping a world where people and planet thrive together.
Below are some examples of action being already taken.
Eco-Schools Program:
The Eco-Schools initiative, active in 67 countries and involving over 19 million students, empowers young people to lead sustainability projects within their schools and communities. By following a seven-step framework, students engage in activities such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and biodiversity projects, fostering environmental stewardship from an early age.
Center for Ecoliteracy
Located in Berkeley, California, the Center for Ecoliteracy supports education for sustainable living by developing curricula that integrate ecological principles. One notable program is the Rethinking School Lunch initiative, which promotes local, seasonal, and sustainable meals in schools, coupled with experiential learning in gardens and kitchen classrooms. This approach connects students to their food sources and emphasizes the importance of sustainable agriculture.
National Green Week
Organized by the Green Education Foundation, National Green Week encourages schools to dedicate time to sustainability topics. Participating schools select themes such as waste reduction or green energy and implement related projects. For example, students might conduct waste audits, initiate recycling programs, or explore renewable energy solutions, thereby translating classroom learning into tangible environmental benefits.
HEC Paris’s 2050NOW Program
HEC Paris introduced the 2050NOW learning experience, bringing together students, academics, and business leaders to envision sustainable futures for companies. The course combines immersive multimedia experiences with collaborative discussions, encouraging participants to develop innovative solutions for long-term sustainability challenges.
London Business School’s Sustainability Leadership and Corporate Responsibility Program
This program connects students with alumni who are leading sustainable change across various industries. Through interactive sessions, students engage with real-world sustainability dilemmas, preparing them to balance competing priorities and inspire meaningful transformation in their future careers.