Teacher Education in Environmental and Sustainability Education

Introduction

Teacher education plays a vital role in preparing and supporting teachers to maximize learning outcomes for their students. Whether this be through Initial Teacher Education (ITE) for new teachers, or Professional Learning and Development (PLD) for practicing teachers, teacher education is important for student learning. This education helps teachers to work with their students’ prior knowledge, skills, and values to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in their world. This preparation is fundamental for decision-making and actions that can lead to a sustainable future.

In 2021, a sustainable future seems some way off. Many countries remain gripped by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has shaken their social structures and impacted their economies. Meanwhile, environmental degradation continues at pace, with habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change creating urgency for actions which governments seem too distracted or...