Assessment and Evaluation Methods in ESD focus on measuring students’ understanding and application of sustainability concepts through various techniques beyond traditional testing, including portfolios, peer reviews, and project-based evaluations.

Source: Ssossé et al., 2021.

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/5/2854

Augmented Reality (AR) enhances users’ perception of their environment by overlaying digital information, such as images, videos, and data, onto the real world in real time. In education, AR offers interactive experiences that go beyond traditional learning methods. For instance, students can participate in virtual field trips, exploring distant ecosystems or historical landmarks without leaving the classroom. AR can also simulate environmental scenarios, allowing learners to visualise and interact with complex concepts like climate change, deforestation, or renewable energy systems. This technology not only engages students but also deepens their understanding by providing a hands-on, experiential approach to learning. By integrating AR into education, teachers can create lessons that bring abstract concepts to life, making education more engaging and impactful.

Source: Shweta Sinha, 2021, eLearning Industry.

Link: https://elearningindustry.com/augmented-reality-in-education-staggering-insight-into-future

BREEAM is used to specify and measure the sustainability performance of buildings. Using this framework helps projects to meet their sustainability goals and achieve optimal performance over time. A BREEAM assessment uses recognised measures of performance, which are set against established benchmarks, to evaluate a building’s specification, design, construction and use. The measures used represent a broad range of categories and criteria from energy to ecology.

Source: BREEAM, 2024

Link: https://breeam.com/about/how-breeam-works

Contingency plans for ESD are proactive measures and strategies developed to address potential disruptions or unforeseen challenges in the implementation of sustainability education programs. These plans are designed to ensure that educational objectives related to sustainability can continue to be met despite various risks, such as changes in funding, policy shifts, or emergencies.

Source: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED): IIED Strategy 2019–2024. (n.d.).

Link: https://www.iied.org/iied-strategy-2019-2024

It refers to an environment where creativity, experimentation, and continuous improvement are encouraged to advance sustainability education. This culture supports the development and implementation of new ideas, teaching methods, and technologies to address sustainability challenges and integrate ESD principles effectively into the educational process.

Source: Saleh & Brem, 2023.

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652623000069

ESD empowers learners to take informed decisions and responsible actions for environmental integrity, economic viability and a just society for present and future generations. It provides learners of all ages the knowledge, skills, values and agency to address interconnected global challenges including climate change, loss of biodiversity, unsustainable use of resources, and inequality. It empowers learners of all ages to make informed decisions and take individual and collective action to change society and care for the planet. ESD is a lifelong learning process and an integral part of quality education. It enhances the cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural dimensions of learning and encompasses learning content and outcomes, pedagogy and the learning environment itself.

Source: UNESCO, 2024; 2017.

Link: https://www.unesco.org/en/sustainable-development/education/need-know; https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000247444/PDF/247444eng.pdf.multi

Educational Games are designed to teach and reinforce concepts through interactive and enjoyable activities. In ESD, they can simulate real-world scenarios and promote learning about sustainability in a dynamic way.

Source: Mercer et al., 2017.

Link: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ijshe-03-2015-0064/full/html

Energy Savings Performance Contracting (EPC) is a budget-neutral approach to make building improvements that reduce energy and water use and increase operational efficiency. To provide an example EPC works in the following way: A company (an ESCO) installs new energy-saving equipment in your building, e.g., solar panels or better insulation. They pay for everything upfront. Instead of you paying them directly, they get paid from the money you save on your energy bills thanks to the new equipment. If the equipment does not save you enough money, they do not get fully paid. So, they are only successful if they make your building more energy efficient.

Source: European Energy Efficiency Platform (E3p), n.d.

Link: https://e3p.jrc.ec.europa.eu/articles/energy-performance-contracting#toc-2

The Flipped Classroom model inverts traditional teaching by having students review content at home and engage in interactive, application-based activities during class time. This approach maximises classroom time for collaborative and hands-on learning.

Source: University of Texas at Austin, n.d.

Link: https://ctl.utexas.edu/instructional-strategies/flipped-classroom

Gamification applies game design elements in non-game contexts to increase engagement and motivation. In education, it involves using game mechanics to enhance learning experiences and encourage active participation in subjects like sustainability.

Source: Kamaldeep Singh, 2023.

Link: https://elearningindustry.com/gamification-in-education-advancing-21st-century-learning

GCED aims to empower learners to become active, responsible global citizens. It promotes understanding of global issues, respect for diversity, and the ability to act with empathy and solidarity to address challenges like social justice and environmental sustainability.

Source: UNESCO, 2024.

Link: https://www.unesco.org/en/global-citizenship-peace-education/need-know

Green building is a resource-efficient construction and development approach that considers environmental impact and human health. In green building projects, sustainability is incorporated throughout the building’s lifecycle, from planning to demolition. Green building concepts include environmentally conscious site selection, practices to facilitate and improve energy efficiency, water efficiency and indoor environmental quality, and efforts to limit carbon emissions. Successful green building projects often meet widely adopted green building standards, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) framework.

The term green building might also describe a structure developed with green building practices. It is sometimes used interchangeably with other terms, such as “eco-friendly building,” “high-performance building” and “sustainable building.”

Source: IBM, 2024.

Link: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/green-building

The Green-Comp KSA framework, developed by the European Commission, evaluates sustainability competencies through three key dimensions: knowledge, skills, and attitudes. It focuses on understanding environmental issues, sustainability concepts, and the interconnections between ecological, social, and economic systems. The framework emphasises the practical skills needed to apply sustainability principles, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy, alongside attitudes that foster environmental ethics, social responsibility, and a commitment to sustainable practices. By integrating these competencies into educational processes, Green-Comp aims to equip learners with the tools necessary to address global sustainability challenges and create a more resilient, sustainable society.

Source: Bianchi, et al., 2022.

Link: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC128040

Horizontal aspects of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) refer to the integration of sustainability principles across different subject areas and disciplines within the educational curriculum. This approach ensures that sustainability concepts are embedded throughout various subjects, fostering a comprehensive understanding of sustainability from multiple perspectives.

Source: UNESCO, 2022.

Link: https://www.unesco.org/en/sustainable-development/education

Interdisciplinary Cooperative Learning emerged in the late 20th century, driven by the need to address complex, real-world challenges like climate change and sustainability through collaboration across different academic fields. Rooted in constructivist pedagogy, ICL combines subject areas and encourages cooperative group work, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Gaining traction in educational reforms of the 1970s and 1980s, ICL has become integral to modern education frameworks like STEM and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), preparing students to tackle interconnected global issues.

Source: Lorente, S., Arnal-Palacián, M. & Paredes-Velasco, M., 2024

Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10212-024-00881-y

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. LEED certification provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, which offer environmental, social and governance benefits. LEED certification is a globally recognised symbol of sustainability achievement, and it is backed by an entire industry of committed organisations and individuals paving the way for market transformation.

Source: US Green Building Council, 2024.

Link: https://www.usgbc.org/leed

Low VOC refers to volatile organic compounds that are not harmful to the environment and humans. It mostly refers to paints and other products that have a very low or zero VOC, e.g. sealants, adhesives and cleaners. Low VOCs are good for both the environment and living organisms. Conventional paint contains a higher level of VOCs that are released into the air and that cause ozone depletion. Low-VOC products contain a lower amount of VOC content than conventional paints and create no impact on the ozone layer.

Source: David & Niculescu, 2021; Corrosionpedia, 2024.

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8700805/ ; https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/1891/low-voc

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are online courses designed for a large number of participants that can be accessed by anyone anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. They are open to everyone without entry qualifications, and offer a complete course experience online for free. They are led by subject matter experts from higher education or industry and hosted by learning management systems or dedicated MOOC platforms.

Source: Witthaus et al., 2016.

Link: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/fdf5cca3-d930-11e5-8fea-01aa75ed71a1/language-en

It involves engaging a diverse range of stakeholders—including government agencies, educational institutions, businesses, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and community groups—in the development and implementation of strategies and policies. This collaborative method ensures that multiple perspectives are considered, fosters shared responsibility, and enhances the effectiveness and inclusivity of initiatives.

Source: United Nations, 2015.

Link: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/

PBL is an instructional method where students learn by solving complex, real-world problems. It emphasises critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the application of knowledge rather than rote memorisation.

Source: Maureen Leming, The Hun School of Princeton, 2020.

Link: https://www.hunschool.org/resources/problem-based-learning

Service Learning integrates community service with academic learning, allowing students to apply their skills and knowledge to real-world problems. It enhances learning through direct involvement in community issues, promoting both personal growth and civic responsibility.

Source: Suffolk University, Boston, n.d.

Link: https://www.suffolk.edu/student-life/student-involvement/community-public-service/service-learning/what-is-service-learning

Stakeholder in education is anyone who has an interest in, or is impacted by, the educational system in some way. It is anyone who has a ”stake” or a vested interest in the success and welfare of a school or educational system. A stakeholder synonym is a partner or shareholder. Stakeholders in education include both those who are directly involved (such as parents, teachers, and students) and those indirectly impacted (such as government officials and local business leaders) by the success or failure of an educational system. All members of a community are stakeholders in education.

Source: Watts & Roundy, 2023.

Link: https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-stakeholder-in-education-definition-examples.html

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. There are 17 SDGs and they recognise that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, as well as that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Source: UNDP, 2024.

Link: https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals

Transformative Learning is a process through which individuals change their perspectives and behaviours by critically reflecting on their experiences. It involves a shift in understanding and can lead to significant personal and social change.

Source: Mezirow, 2008.

Link: https://www.normfriesen.info/files/Mezirows_overview_transformative.pdf

Vertical aspects of ESD refer to the incorporation of sustainability principles across various educational levels, from early childhood education through to higher education and lifelong learning. This approach ensures that sustainability concepts are introduced and developed progressively, aligning with the cognitive and developmental stages of learners as they advance through their educational journey.

Source: United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), 2024.

Link: https://www.unsdsn.org/our-work/topics/education-and-training/

Virtual Field Trips use digital tools to simulate real-world experiences and environments. They provide students with immersive learning opportunities related to topics like sustainability, without the need for physical travel.

Source: Kai Frazier, 2022.

Link: https://www.kaixr.com/post/benefits-of-virtual-field-trips

It refers to integrating sustainability principles and practices across all aspects of an educational institution. This approach ensures that sustainability is embedded not only in the curriculum but also in the institution’s management, operations, and community interactions, creating a cohesive framework for achieving sustainability goals.

Source: UNESCO, 2022.

Link: https://www.unesco.org/en/sustainable-development/education