Towards more sustainable education systems: the role of schools in the green transition

Tuesday 9 June 2026

Building a more sustainable society does not simply mean taking action through environmental policies and technological innovation. Education plays a central role in preparing the younger generation to tackle the environmental, economic and social challenges that characterise both the present and the future.

In this journey, teaching staff and educational professionals are an essential resource. Through their role, they can help disseminate knowledge, skills and values related to sustainability, guiding students towards a greater awareness of climate and environmental challenges. For this reason, it is important to support and strengthen the skills of those working in the education sector, so that they can promote learning pathways capable of encouraging more sustainable behaviour and active participation in the green transition.

Building on this understanding, UpSpace promotes dialogue between political representatives, educators, sustainability experts and institutions in Italy, Germany, Greece and Serbia to explore the contribution that schools and education systems can make to the transition towards more sustainable societies.

The findings of this work are set out in the report on consultations with political representatives and education sector leaders, which is based on interviews and round-table discussions that have enabled us to gather experiences, perspectives and recommendations from a range of national contexts.

The consultations highlighted a common need: to strengthen the integration of education and training into policies related to the ecological transition, as incorporating the educational dimension into these strategies can help facilitate the shift towards low-environmental-impact development models, foster dialogue between schools, institutions and the economy, and enhance the effectiveness of sustainability education.

The discussions were attended by representatives from the academic world, teaching staff from primary and secondary schools, professionals specialising in environmental issues, and representatives from the public policy sector. The involvement of diverse perspectives made it possible to identify shared priorities and needs, despite the differences between the education systems of the countries involved.

Among the key issues that emerged are:

The need to strengthen the focus on sustainability in school curricula,

Increasing investment in teacher training,

Promoting practical skills related to environmental challenges,

Strengthening collaboration between schools, institutions and other local stakeholders.

The report also highlights the importance of creating opportunities for structured dialogue between those working in the education sector and those involved in shaping public policy. Fostering this dialogue can be an important step towards developing education systems capable of addressing contemporary issues and guiding the younger generation towards greater environmental awareness.

To find out more about the consultation results and follow updates from UpSpace, visit the website or email emna.miled@cesie.org.

About the project

UpSpace is co-funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ programme, KA220-SCH – Cooperation partnerships in the field of school education.

The project aims to promote the inclusion of sustainable development in secondary school curricula and to train pupils and teachers in lower and upper secondary schools in the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.