Behind the Paper

Education for Sustainability

Brazilian universities are increasingly integrating Education for Sustainable Development into their policies. However, significant challenges remain in implementing these practices and advancing the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
Go to the profile of SAMUEL FELIPE WEIRICH
SAMUEL FELIPE WEIRICH
Discente de Pós-graduação, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná

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Springer International Publishing
Springer International Publishing Springer International Publishing

Education for sustainable development in the Brazilian university context and the 2030 agenda - Discover Sustainability

Contemporary planetary crises, driven by environmental degradation and increasing social inequalities, underscore the urgency of sustainability as a civilizational imperative. In this context, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has emerged as a fundamental pillar for preparing individuals and societies to build a more resilient and equitable future. Through an exploratory literature review, this study analyzes the institutionalization of ESD in Brazilian higher education, examining its interactions with Environmental Education (EE) and the 2030 Agenda. The research explores the conceptual convergences, policy articulations, and implications of these approaches for advancing the SDGs within university settings. The findings indicate that, although sustainability has been incorporated into institutional policies and strategic planning, its implementation across Brazilian universities remains a gradual process that requires curricular reform, institutional commitment, and the adoption of sustainable management practices. The study concludes that the institutionalization of ESD is essential for preparing professionals and citizens capable of addressing complex socio-environmental challenges and contributing actively to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

How can Brazilian universities lead the transition toward a sustainable future? 🌍

I am delighted to share this explainer video about our scientific article, "Education for sustainable development in the Brazilian university context and the 2030 agenda", published in the journal Discover Sustainability!
Developed by researchers from the State University of Western Paraná (UNIOESTE), this study analyzes the institutionalization of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Brazilian higher education, examining in an integrated manner its interactions with Environmental Education (EE) and the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
 
Key findings and reflections from our work:
  • 🤝 Synergy and Complementarity: Environmental Education (EE) provides the ethical and ecological foundations necessary for developing active citizenship. ESD expands this foundation by integrating the environmental, social, economic, cultural, and institutional dimensions of sustainability transversally. Together, they gain a strategic direction and global targets through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDG 4 Target 4.7.
  • 🏫 The Role of Universities: Higher education institutions are fundamental agents in the transition toward sustainability, serving as hubs for innovation, knowledge production, and the formation of critical and responsible citizens.
  • 🚧 Real Challenges: Although sustainability commitments are increasingly incorporated into the institutional policies and strategic planning of Brazilian universities, their effective implementation remains a gradual process. To move forward, we must overcome disciplinary fragmentation through deep curricular reforms, continuous investment in teacher professional development, and the adoption of sustainable institutional management practices.

 

Education precedes sustainability. It is through the transformation of values and behaviors that we will prepare professionals capable of addressing the complex socio-environmental challenges of our century.
 
Watch the video to check out a dynamic summary of our analysis! 📽️
 
🔗 Read the full paper at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-026-04084-x
(Note: Samuel Felipe Weirich, Wilson João Zonin, Alvori Ahlert, Marcela Abbado Neres & Irene Carniatto Oliveira)
 
 
#Sustainability #Agenda2030 #EnvironmentalEducation #HigherEducation #SDG4 #UNIOESTE #DiscoverSustainability #ESD

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Politics and International Studies
Humanities and Social Sciences > Politics and International Studies
Sustainability
Research Communities > Community > Sustainability
Environmental Sciences
Physical Sciences > Earth and Environmental Sciences > Environmental Sciences
Environmental and Sustainability Education
Humanities and Social Sciences > Education > Environmental and Sustainability Education
Environmental Policy
Humanities and Social Sciences > Society > Social Policy > Environmental Policy
Environmental Studies
Life Sciences > Biological Sciences > Ecology > Environmental Studies

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