Understanding the fair use of resources

Western societies have historically been responsible for a disproportionately high share of global environmental destruction and resource consumption. While most schools already teach pupils about the scientific evidence for climate change and the need to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, it is important that pupils learn about environmental equity and justice, the building blocks of a sustainable society.

Environmental justice means sharing environmental benefits and burdens fairly. This often requires equitable and inclusive support based on everyone’s needs.

Schools can teach children environmental justice e.g. through involvement in decision-making. For example, the Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation provides schools with tools to implement sustainable practices as part of the Eco-Schools programme. Its key principle is to ensure that different views are heardand included by including pupils in choices on environmental policies in their schools and promoting an inclusive culture of shared responsibility.

Bringing the Sustainable Development Goals into schools

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an important framework for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. These 17 goals target global issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.

The SDGs serve as inspiration and guidance for many school projects, such as the Together For Sustainable Development Goals project which aims to improve the knowledge of SDGs among educators, trainers, students and youth. It also provides teachers with new tools to incorporate the SDGs into their curricula.

Learning about social responsibility through projects

The Blue Schools project targets environmental injustices related to water by incorporating water conservation into the curriculum and involving students in hands-on projects. Schools collaborate with local communities to guarantee equal access to clean water, and raise awareness about water scarcity concerns.

Similarly, the PLASTEAM project works with schools to minimise single-use plastics by highlighting the negative impact of plastic pollution on marginalised groups. Plastic-free schools promote a sense of responsibility and activism among young people, particularly in underprivileged communities, by engaging them in plastic reduction campaigns and waste management initiatives.