History of education for sustainable development

ESD at the international level

A long tradition of sustainable forest management

The idea of sustainable management of natural resources goes back to the 18th century, with forest engineering. Hans-Carl von Carlowitz formulated the principle as early as 1713:
“Schlage nur so viel Holz, wie der Wald verkraften kann, so viel Holz wie nachwachsen kann.“
(“Only cut as much wood as the forest can support, as much as can grow back.”)

The emergence of eco-citizenship

In the 1970s, a new educational approach broadened the concept of sustainability to encompass the entire environment and natural resources. This led to the birth of 'eco-citizenship In the 1980s, citizens became increasingly involved in environmental protection, and various eco-citizen initiatives were launched.

Globales Lernen: understanding global interdependencies

In 1976, the concept of Globales Lernen emerged. Its aim was to raise awareness of the interdependence between countries in the Global North and the Global South, initially focusing on development issues and later expanding to include those related to the exploitation of natural resources. Inclusive pedagogies focusing on peace and nature were developed.

The Brundtland Report and the definition of sustainable development

In 1987, the World Commission on Environment and Development chaired by Gro Harlem Brundtland, published the report “Our Common Future”, which officially defined sustainable development as:
“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

This report served as the basis for the Rio Conference in 1992, bringing together political leaders, scientists and NGOs from 179 countries to reconcile human development and environmental protection.

Worldwide convergence of educational efforts

Since then, educational initiatives supporting sustainable development have been consolidated.The UNESCO Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) (2005–2014) aimed to strengthen global mobilization and accelerate progress towards a sustainable future. It was followed by the Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development.

The UNESCO World conference on ESD in Berlin in 2021 underlined the need to pool initiatives and work together, particularly between ministries. Since then, a number of international initiatives have been strengthened:

• UNECE-ESD
• UNESCO-ESD-Countrynet Education for sustainable development | UNESCO
• Initiatives at the level of the 'European Union and Benelux countries

The evolution of ESD in Luxembourg

Creation of the PEEDD national platform

The Plan national pour la protection de la nature 2007–2011 - National Nature Conservation Plan 2007-2011 formalized the creation of the plateforme nationale pour l’éducation à l’environnement et au développement durable (PEEDD) - national platform for environmental education and sustainable development (PEEDD). This platform was integrated into BNE.lu in 2016 and became an integrated component of the national BNE network in 2025.

The Comité interministériel pour l’EDD

Created in 2008, the CIEDD coordinates national ESD initiatives, promotes synergies and facilitates exchanges. In 2012, it published the stratégie nationale d’éducation pour un développement durable - national strategy for education for sustainable development, which:

• proposed the creation of a “Development Education“ information network
  which led to the creation of the BNE.lu (point 2.1)
• proposed the creation of a common set of criteria for
  for out-of-school and in-school training institutions.
  gathered these basic criteria in the form of a charter (see chapter 2.3)
• defined the missions of the PEEDD platform's network of stakeholders and structures the network of players around ESD (see chapter 6.4)

In 2016, the CIEDD was expanded to include the challenges of the 'Agenda 2030, bringing together representatives from a dozen ministries. It is co-chaired by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity (MECB) and the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (MENJE), and liaises with the Benelux countries and the Greater Region.

ESD and the circular economy in the context of TIRLUX

As part of the Third Industrial Revolution (TIRLUX), the CIEDD was mandated to integrate ESD and the 'circular economy in school curricula. In 2017, under the leadership of the MENJE, a multi-year plan was launched, including:

• integrating ESD and the circular economy into education;
• the creation of a sustainable schools ;
• the development of a dedicated teaching unit ;
• updating the list of charter signatories ;
• updating the website www.bne.lu.

In 2018, the CIEDD published “Tipps für ein nachhaltiges Leben in Luxemburg“, in collaboration with members of the PEEDD platform. These thematic sheets cover 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with regular updates provided by the MECB.

Towards a new dynamic

In 2024, the Ministers of Education and the Environment decided to renovate the BNE.lu website, with technical and financial support from the MECDD.

The new bne.lu website and network will be launched in September 2025.

The CIEDD is currently being redesigned (2025), with broader and more precise responsibilities..