Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) conveys the following: “My actions have ramifications and not only for myself, but for the environment and those around me. I can help make the world a better place.”

This kind of thinking is utterly necessary for initiating change and tackling pressing global issues. Next to ecological and economic challenges, ESD also addresses social aspects such as equal opportunities or quality of life.

Since 2015, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has been the lead ministry coordinating the implementation of UNESCO's ESD programmes in Germany. The goal is to ensure the structural integration of ESD in all areas of education.

Implementing ESD at the policy level

The Federal Government has set itself the goal of ensuring the structural integration of ESD in all areas of education. To achieve this aim, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) set up a national platform in 2015 and established bodies to support the process. The National Platform ESD (at www.bne-portal.de in German) is the supreme body for steering the ESD process in Germany. Chaired by Dr. Jens Brandenburg, Parliamentary State Secretary at the BMBF, the National Platform involves decision-makers from politics, industry, research, academia and civil society. A Scientific Adviser and an International Adviser support the work of the National Platform ESD.

Decisions taken by the National Platform ESD

• Input Paper "Continuing on our path towards implementing ESD for 2030" (in German, at www.bne-portal.de)
• Statement "Participation, opportunities for involvement and freedoms" (in German, at www.bne-portal.de)
• Catalogue "Quality criteria for digital ESD resources" (in German, at www.bne-portal.de)
• Position Paper "Education for Sustainable Development – A compass in the digital transformation of our society" (in German, at www.bne-portal.de)
• "Education for Sustainable Development (ESD): A way out of the crisis. A Resolution of the German ESD National Platform" (in German, at www.bne-portal.de)

The bodies involved in the ESD policy process

Further bodies involved in the ESD (in German, at www.bne-portal.de) include:

• The ESD Expert Forums: The Expert Forums advise the National Platform ESD. They provide their expertise and prepare recommendations for action in the different areas of education.
• The ESD Partner Networks: The Partner Networks bring together stakeholders, provide fresh impetus for implementing ESD on the ground, and initiate examples of good ESD practice.
• The ESD Partner Forum: The Partner Forum coordinates the activities of the Partner Networks and organizes regional ESD barcamps, the so called Open Days (Open Days ESD – Regional networking meetings for a better world (in German, at opendaysbne.de)).

Young people are also involved in the national ESD process. The ESD Youth Panel (youpaN, in German, at www.bne-portal.d) brings together 30 young people aged 16 to 27 who serve as experts for the young generation’s perspectives on ESD. The panel is also involved in the implementation of the German National Action Plan on ESD.

ESD in practice 

• The ESD Portal (in German, at www.bne-portal.de) provides the most up-to-date and essential information about ESD.
• Many public figures support the implementation of ESD. The ESD Portal features interviews (in German, at www.bne-portal.de) where they explain their motivation.
• The leaflet “Simply improving the WORLD. Education for Sustainable Development” provides concise and easy-to-understand information about ESD.
• If you want to learn more about ESD or teach others, you can draw inspiration from our educational resources database (in German, at www.bne-portal.de).
• The "National Prize – Education for Sustainable Development“ (in German, at www.bne-portal.de), which comes with a prize money, honours initiatives that use ESD to contribute towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
• In addition, the "National Awards – Education for Sustainable Development" (in German, at www.bne-portal.de), which are presented three times per year, honour projects with a particularly strong commitment to ESD.

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (in German, at www.bundesregierung.de) for peaceful and sustainable societies. Quality education is a central prerequisite for achieving these goals, and the essence of SDG 4 “Quality Education”. ESD is one of SDG 4’s targets and therefore central to the realization of all 17 SDGs.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What exactly does Education for Sustainable Development mean?

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD for short) is about teaching people about the consequences of their actions for the environment. ESD also empowers people to make sustainable and responsible choices. The aim of ESD is to enable all people worldwide to live in dignity, today and in the future, and to fulfil their needs and potential while respecting the planetary boundaries. Further information is available on the ESD Portal. EDS Portal: What is EDS? (in German, at www.bne-portal.de).

What is the role of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in the ESD process?

Since 2015, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has been the lead ministry coordinating the implementation of UNESCO’s ESD programmes in Germany. The goal is to ensure the structural integration of ESD in all areas of education: early childhood education, schools, vocational education and training, higher education, non-formal and informal learning, and local places of learning.

Why does Education for Sustainable Development matter?

The United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for peaceful and sustainable societies (in German, at www.bundesregierung.de) in 2015. Quality education is a central prerequisite for achieving these goals and the essence of SDG 4 “Quality Education”. Education for Sustainable Development is one of SDG 4’s targets (Target 4.7) and therefore central to the realization of the SDGs.

What are the goals of Education for Sustainable Development?

Education for Sustainable Development is about sharing knowledge in order to empower people to think and act with the future in mind. The goal is to enable each and everyone to understand the effects of their own actions on the world and take action accordingly.

How can I get involved in Education for Sustainable Development?

You can get involved at the local level in associations, projects or institutions on the ground. Moreover, the ESD Portal (in German, at www.bne-portal.de) provides relevant information about upcoming ESD events as well as calls and announcements.

Editorial deadline for this text: 01.11.2024