Education for sustainable development

 The National Curriculum makes Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) a statutory requirement across the curriculum. ESD sits very comfortably in the business studies and economics curricula. Many of the issues raised in discussions on sustainable development are intrinsically business issues. Examples of this would include ethical behaviour of business, cost cutting, research and development, sourcing supplies.

"Sustainable development is .. development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" 
1987 Bruntland Report
 

"Education for sustainable development (ESD) is an approach to the whole curriculum and management of a school, not a new subject. It has its roots in environmental education and development education. As a result, many of the building blocks of education for sustainable development are already present in every school."
QCA

"Education for sustainable development is about the learning needed to maintain and improve our quality of life and the quality of life of generations to come. It is about equipping individuals, communities, groups, businesses and government to live and act sustainably; as well as giving them an understanding of the environmental, social and economic issues involved. It is about preparing for the world in which we will live in the next century, and making sure we are not found wanting."
Sustainable Development Education Panel, 1999

This unit offers you reading, links and resources to consider the issues raised in order to incorporate aspects of sustainable development into your teaching.

The resources available for download include:

Education for Sustainable Development - a briefing paper for the Teacher Training Agency by John Huckle. This is in Word format with active hyperlinks to websites

A book review by Nancy Wall of "Rethink, Refuse, Reduce ... Education for sustainability in a changing world" by Ken Webster.

A simplified summary on the issue of sustainability which may be used as a focus for a group discussion and help enhance your trainees’ knowledge.

Suggestions for opportunities to raise awareness of sustainability issues mapped against the Edexcel GCSE Business Studies course.