Education As a fundamental human right and an enabling right As a public good and a shared societal endeavour requiring an inclusive process of public policy formation and implementation As requiring gender equality as this is inextricably linked to the right to education for all “These principles are inspired by a humanistic vision of education and development based on human rights and dignity, justice and shared responsibility.” UNESCO, 2015, Global Action Programme While for the Decade of ESD, UNESCO (2002) argued that ‘[a]chieving sustainable development is essentially a process of learning’ (p .7)

Contemporary approaches to education can show: Increased awareness of the direct links between the environment, lifestyle and livelihoods A shift towards incorporating environmental education into the formal school curriculum through education for sustainable development, e.g. in work of teacher education, curriculum, ministries But must also consider learning through community, e.g. indigenous knowledge, culturally integrated schools, lifelong learning and learning through work and daily life

What kind of education is necessary? GEM p. vi 2 complementary approaches – 1A. Literacy acquisition and retention, or 1B. Specific knowledge to generate behavioural change 2. Development of agency, competencies and participation Education as facilitation of reflective or critical learning, knowledge and skills acquisition, and agency to address complex sustainability issues.

GEM Report 2016 “Education will not deliver its full potential to catapult the world forward unless rates of improvement dramatically shift, and education systems consider sustainable development in the ways services are delivered.” and “Education will not deliver its full potential unless participation rates increase and sustainable development guides education system reform.”

SDG Target 4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

SDG Target 12.8 By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

SDG Targets 13.1 and 13.3 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Education as the Greatest Resource? #Teach4Climate - requires a Version 2.0 and mainstreaming in UNFCCC “If done right, education has the power to nurture empowered, reflective, engaged and skilled citizens who can chart the way toward a safer, greener and fairer planet.” Irina Bokova Thank you - Alan Reid alan.reid@monash.edu @eerjournal #eerjournal bit.do/eerjournal