Teaching sustainability

Graphic illustration: Two young people are sitting cross-legged in front of a globe with their laptops open on their laps. The globe is surrounded by various green plants.

What is education for sustainable development (ESD)?

Education for sustainable development is about understanding the impact of our daily behaviour on the planet. From how we move around to what we eat, from how we dress to how we power our lives, sustainability is at the heart of almost everything we do.

Since the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, the importance of sustainable development has been a central part of politics and society. We must respond to global challenges such as climate change, social injustice and economic disparities. But what role does education play in this?

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) offers a holistic approach to teaching and learning that enables all people to actively participate in current social transformation processes and take responsibility for their own actions. We create spaces in which sustainable solutions for current ecological, social and economic challenges can be actively developed and shaped.

ESD actively contributes to the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations' Agenda 2030.

What ESD activities already exist at HTW Berlin?

The Sustainability Certificate has been available at HTW Berlin since 2022. The Certificate in Sustainability is open to all students, regardless of their degree programme or subject area. It offers the opportunity to expand knowledge and skills in the field of sustainable development.

You can find all information about the Sustainability Certificate in our brochure [PDF].