Education for sustainable development in higher education-introduction to a special issue

Abstract

Education for sustainable development (ESD) is essential for humanity to overcome the immense challenges it faces as a result of human actions on nature. For many students, higher education is the last step before they pursue a professional career. In a special way, the university experience can help students to become agents of change for sustainability. However, the opportunity to learn and adapt towards sustainability can also arise as a professional or active member of the institutions in which one works or collaborates. Lifelong learning, and in particular university education, should assist in the acquisition of competencies for sustainability as tools for facing the complexity of today’s world. This is an overarching goal that many universities, professors, staff and research groups are aiming for.