From Classroom to Climate Action: Exploring the Educational Pathways to Environmental Awareness – A Systematic Literature Review

This review synthesizes research on impact of education on environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, and pollution in emerging economies to address the fragmented understanding of education’s role in environmental outcomes amid rapid development and resource constraints. The review aimed to evaluate knowledge on education-environment linkages, benchmark educational approaches, identify mechanisms connecting education expenditure and human capital to sustainability, compare regional variations, and assess innovative educational strategies. A systematic analysis of interdisciplinary empirical and theoretical studies from 2000 to 2023, focusing on emerging economies including China, India, Africa, and ASEAN countries, was conducted using quantitative and qualitative synthesis methods. Findings indicate that education expenditure and higher education significantly reduce CO2 emissions and pollution, though effects vary by region and income level; education fosters biodiversity conservation attitudes, but empirical links to outcomes remain limited; integration of education with government policies and green innovation enhances environmental sustainability; and experiential, interdisciplinary pedagogies improve environmental awareness despite resource and curriculum challenges. These findings collectively demonstrate education’s multifaceted influence on environmental quality, moderated by socioeconomic and institutional factors. The review underscores the need for context-specific, policy-supported educational frameworks that incorporate innovative practices to advance sustainable development in emerging economies.