Curriculum Development for Sustainable Development : Theory and Practice

This book addresses the intersection of curriculum development and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), a field gaining urgency amid global environmental and social crises.

This book addresses the intersection of curriculum development and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), a field gaining urgency amid global environmental and social crises. Its background lies in the global push for ESD, championed by bodies like UNESCO, which argues that education systems must fundamentally evolve to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and values to create a sustainable future.  The book's primary aim is to bridge the significant gap between the high-level theory of ESD and its practical implementation within formal educational curricula. It moves beyond advocating why ESD is needed to provide concrete guidance on how to design, deliver, and evaluate curricula that effectively embed sustainability principles across all subjects and educational levels.  Its major contribution to the literature is its holistic and integrative approach. Rather than presenting sustainability as an add-on, the chapters Showcase how it can be a core, transformative lens through which all learning is viewed. It synthesizes theoretical frameworks from sustainability science, pedagogy, and curriculum design with evidence-based case studies and practical tools for educators, policymakers, and curriculum developers. By offering a coherent model that connects philosophical underpinnings with actionable strategies, the book provides an essential resource for translating the ambitious goals of sustainable development into tangible educational practice.