Policy Perspectives on Education for Sustainable Development: Taking stock of the Field in the era of the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Education for sustainable development (ESD) has become a popular avenue to advance progress toward global goals linked to climate change, social issues and economic growth. For more than three decades, ESD has risen to prominence in international policy fora as a fundamental step in the implementation of a wide range of global development objectives. Particularly, following the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enthusiasm for ESD has grown rapidly. However, the current moment represents a break in the wave of support for global projects like the SDGs. Catastrophes like the COVID-19 pandemic and violent regional conflicts have elicited scepticism for global cooperation and the efforts of agencies like the United Nations (UN). Consequently, in 2024, the UN Secretary-General convened the Summit of the Future (SOTF) to revitalize multilateralism and reconcile the grievances of nations. Among those grievances were demands for more critical assessments of the transformative potential and relevance of the SDGs. Provoked by the recent global momentum, this special issue highlights key perspectives regarding how the international education community has rolled out ESD initiatives during the SDG campaign, with special focus on SDG Target 4.7. The commentaries offer valuable insights into concrete actions to enrich ESD, the evolving contours of policy production, and, more deeply, critiques of the underlying forces shaping the field. Following the SOTF, the degree to which the UN was successful in assuaging scepticism and re-mobilizing support for its mission is still to be determined. Rebuilding the trust and faith of nations is a long-term effort, but certainly, the range of voices emerging offers enriching new pathways for the field of ESD and across the development spectrum.