Comparative Analysis of Certification Systems and Standard-Based Innovation Strategies for the Institutionalization of ESD Policies

Education for Sustainable Development(ESD) is vital for addressing sustainability challenges and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). UNESCO, as the UN’s specialized education agency, supports ESD dissemination through policy development, research, and program certification, while the United Nations University(UNU) designates city-level Regional Centres of Expertise(RCEs) to promote locally tailored ESD initiatives. Korea operates the UNESCO ESD Official Project Certification and eight RCEs, reflecting growing national interest in ESD. This study compares the RCE and UNESCO ESD certification systems using ISO 21001:2018(Educational Organization Management System) to identify structural and operational differences. Based on the analysis, it proposes a standard-based innovation strategy to enhance the international alignment and operational quality of Korean ESD institutions while preserving regional adaptability.