News & Blogs

We were delighted to recently host the third of our new series of ‘Critical Sustainability Conversations’; which had a focus on ‘Peace Education: Fighting for the Future’

The LfS Connect session on 29 May 2025 offered participants and opportunity to hear more about, and discuss, the new National Framework for LfS in Initial Teacher Education’.

Our second ‘Critical Sustainability Conversation’ focused on ‘Education, Sustainability and decolonialism: thinking and moving beyond the greenwash’ and was held in collaboration with colleagues from Queen Margaret University and Canterbury Christ Church University.

We were delighted to recently host the first of our new series of ‘Critical Sustainability Conversations’, which seek to provide spaces for the ambitions outlined above. This Conversation focused on ‘Mapping the terrain around the SDGs’ and was held in collaboration with SDG Network Scotland.

Learning for sustainability should thus support and enable dialogue; as well as the acquisition of specific skills, knowledge and competencies. This webinar series offers critical conversations around interesting contemporary sustainability themes. We look forward to welcoming you.

The new National Framework for Learning for Sustainability in Initial Teacher Education was launched today by the Scottish Council of Deans of Education (SCDE),

We are delighted to introduce Cecilia Mañosa Nyblon; our new Development Manager, who joined us on 14th April.

The GTC Scotland and LfS Scotland ‘LfS Connect’ session on 24 April 2025 offered participants an opportunity to hear more about, and discuss, ‘Learning for Sustainability and a rights-based approach.’

On Monday 14 April, 40 participants joined us, the 2050 Climate Group, and our Youth Co-Ordinator, Alyson, at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute for an in-person screening of this film and an informal discussion; where we asked ourselves – ‘Why not Scotland?’

On Wednesday 02 April, the European network of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) in Education for Sustainable Development welcomed a global audience to the second of its ‘Exploring the potential of…’ webinar series.

Our most recent ‘LfS Connect’ session; delivered in partnership with GTC Scotland on 27th March had a focus on ‘LfS and the role of Senior Leadership Teams’.

The LfS Connect session on 27th February 2025 heard from young people who shared their thoughts and ideas on ‘Learning for Sustainability and Learner Voices’.

On Monday 17 February, Learning for Sustainability Scotland; in partnership with YouthLink Scotland, hosted a webinar and discussion to explore the proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill.

On Thursday 30th January, the European network of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) in Education for Sustainable Development welcomed a global audience to the inaugural event in its ‘Exploring the potential of…’ webinar series.

On 28th January 2025, we were delighted to collaborate once again with EAUC Scotland on their latest ESD Topic Support Network meeting, which had a focus on Positive Impacts on Learning and Quality.

The LfS Connect session on 23rd January 2025 offered participants an opportunity to hear more about, and discuss ‘A golden thread: Learning for Sustainability and the Curriculum Improvement Cycle.

Learning for Sustainability Scotland, Scotland’s UN University-recognised Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development, is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Development Manager to join our team.

On 09 January, we were joined online by members from across Scotland for a wonderful morning of sharing and celebration for our 2024 AGM and Annual Gathering – themed around the concept of ‘developing creative approaches to address controversial sustainability issues’.

We’re delighted to share news of Learning for Sustainability Scotland’s success at the international 2024 UN University-recognised Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) in Education for Sustainable Development Awards.

The LfS Connect session on 05 December 2024 offered participants an opportunity to hear more about, and discuss ‘Learning for Sustainability and the role of local authorities’.

We, and our partners at YouthLink Scotland, recently welcomed over 40 change-makers with a stake in Scotland’s education system at a creative round-table event to discuss; ‘How can we harness partnership approaches to Learning for Sustainability to support Scotland’s aspirations around education reform and the Scottish Attainment Challenge?’

Our LfS Connect session, delivered in partnership with GTC Scotland on 14th November 2024, offered participants an opportunity to hear more about and discuss ‘Learning for Sustainability and Initial Teacher education’

We’re delighted to be running our FREE ‘Live at the COP’ MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) once again. Join us, and a global community of learners like you, from 11-24 November.

More than 90 secondary school pupils from 13 schools gathered at the University of Edinburgh on 31st October; stepping up to face the same critical decisions that will confront global leaders at the forthcoming COP29 climate conference in Baku.

Learning for Sustainability Scotland staff recently travelled to Germany to participate in the annual meeting of Regional Centres of Expertise in Europe.

In today’s complex and uncertain world, young people are constantly faced with making decisions about a wide range of controversial issues that provoke strong, varied and often contradictory responses. On 01 October, we, and our partners at YouthLink Scotland, welcomed participants from across Scotland and a guest speaker from ScotDEC to discuss and consider what this means for educators.

Our latest ‘LfS Connect’ session on 26th September 2024 offered participants an opportunity to hear more about, and discuss ‘Leading a whole-setting approach to Learning for Sustainability’….

On Wednesday 04 September, participants joined us and EAUC Scotland to hear more about and share their views on the Scottish Government’s Post-school education and skills reform legislation: consultation.

We’re delighted to announce the return of ‘Learning for a Sustainable Future’; our highly successful online learning opportunity, which has, to date, attracted over 17,000 learners from nearly 160 countries. Starts 07 October.

On 30 August, Learning for Sustainability Scotland responded to the Education (Scotland) Bill: Phase One.

It’s a time of change here at Learning for Sustainability Scotland.

We’re delighted to welcome our new Director, Dr Beth Christie, as our current Director, Professor Pete Higgins, steps down this summer after eleven years in the role.

The LfS Connect session on 20th June 2024 offered participants an opportunity to hear more about, discuss, and share their favourite LfS-related reading and resources in our brand-new Learning for Sustainability Book Club.

On 19 June, we, and our partners at YouthLink Scotland, welcomed participants and guest speakers from across Scotland to discuss and share more about Learning for Sustainability in the youth work sector…

The following article was published on page 16 of the Spring 2024 edition of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s magazine. In it, Professor Pete Higgins from The University of Edinburgh and Learning for Sustainability Scotland shares his thoughts on Learning for Sustainability in Scotland’s schools.

Our LfS Connect session on 30th May 2024 offered participants an opportunity to hear more about and discuss ‘Coaching and Mentoring for LfS’.

The Education for Sustainable Development Topic Support Network, co-hosted by Learning for Sustainability Scotland and EAUC Scotland, met on 02 May to discuss how to integrate the development of sustainability competencies into day-to-day practice in further and higher education. Catch up on this event by having a look at the minutes and summary file and slides, or watch the recording.

How can we evidence the impact of our Learning for Sustainability activity in an effective and engaging way?

We were delighted to welcome participants to our online session on 09 May, which was delivered in partnership with colleagues from the Royal Highland Education Trust and the Scottish Communities Climate Action Network.

Our ‘LfS Connect’ session on 25th April 2024, delivered in partnership with GTC Scotland, offered participants an opportunity to hear more about and discuss ‘Responding to the LfS Call to Action in secondary settings’.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly ‘LfS Connect’ online sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

Our latest Connect session on 21st March 2024, in partnership with GTC Scotland, offered participants an opportunity to hear more about and discuss ‘Practitioner enquiry and Learning for Sustainability’.

On Wednesday 20 March, participants joined us and Nourish Scotland to share their views on the Scottish Government’s national Good Food Nation Plan. This consultation is open to everyone across Scotland until close of business on Monday 22 April 2024. We will publish our response in due course.

On Tuesday 05 March, we welcomed participants from across Scotland and from a variety of different educational sectors to explore ‘effective collaboration for Scotland’s LfS ‘Movement for Change’.

Read more about our latest monthly online ‘Connect’ session for educators: just one of the resources and opportunities available on the GTC Scotland’s Learning for Sustainability Hub.

We’re delighted to announce the return of ‘Learning for a Sustainable Future’; our highly successful online learning opportunity, which has, to date, attracted over 17,000 learners from nearly 160 countries. Starts 11 March.

On 6th February, we held an event with colleagues from Scottish Government on behalf of participants from across Scotland’s educational landscape to explore and shape a response to the current consultation on the proposed Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill. Read more about the discussion and our next steps.

Have your say on the GTC Scotland Learning for Sustainability Hub. Share your thoughts and ideas by Monday 19 February.

This year’s annual gathering and AGM was an in-person celebration of the tenth year of Learning for Sustainability Scotland as Scotland’s UN University-recognised Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development.

Jenny Gilruth MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, has hailed the contribution of Learning for Sustainability Scotland in its pan-sectoral approach to advancing the skills, knowledge, and values needed for a more sustainable and equitable world.  ‘Learning for Sustainability’ as this kind of learning is known in Scotland, is now more prominent than ever across Scottish education.

It’s official – Scotland’s national Learning for Sustainability Call to Action has been launched and we’re delighted to be playing our part in it here at Learning for Sustainability Scotland.

We’re delighted to announce three recent award successes for Learning for Sustainability Scotland and our partners.

In November, Betsy King, Development Manager with LfS Scotland, travelled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to participate in the 17th meeting of the strategic Ubuntu Committee of Peers and the 13th Global RCE Conference.

We’re delighted to be running our ‘Live at the COP’ MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) once again. The course will run during the United Nations COP28 Climate Change Conference which takes place in the United Arab Emirates between 30 November to 14 December.

On 16 November, Learning for Sustainability Scotland, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, welcomed pupils from Scottish and Egyptian secondary schools to take part in the British Council’s COP28 Climate Simulation Negotiation.

We held an event with YouthLink Scotland, Education Scotland and Stirling Council on 28th September, to discuss and examine Scotland’s refreshed national Learning for Sustainability Action Plan ahead of its forthcoming ‘Call to Action’

We recently held an energising round-table event to explore how a movement for change can be catalysed by Scotland’s refreshed national Learning for Sustainability Action Plan’s forthcoming national ‘Call to Action’.

On 05 September, YouthLink Scotland and Learning for Sustainability Scotland held a ’round table’ event for key individuals in youth sector network organisations in Scotland to discuss and examine Scotland’s refreshed national Learning for Sustainability Action Plan.

We are creating a suite of online opportunities for educators to find out more about the Plan and explore and discuss the opportunities it offers them and their learners. Read on to view more details and reserve your FREE places.

We’re delighted to welcome Scotland’s refreshed national Learning for Sustainability (LfS) Action Plan: ‘Target 2030: a movement for people, planet and prosperity, which was launched on 23rd June at Grove Academy in Dundee by Jenny Gilruth MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

Measuring, monitoring and evaluating Education for Sustainable Development is an important task. It helps us to show where we are at, the impact we’re having, and find out what and where we need to improve. Find out more about the new Framework from the QAA for higher education institutions.

What are the key competencies that students and educators need to engage constructively and responsibly with today’s world, and how can they be assessed?

On Thursday 25th May, we were delighted to welcome partners from University of St Andrews, PRISMA and SAGES – as well as delegates from across a wide range of organisations – to an in-person, bi-lingual intercultural exchange workshop and networking lunch with educators from Peru and Scotland.

On Tuesday, 23 May, in collaboration with the Scottish Government, we held an online opportunity for people to hear more about and be part of the discussion on the blueprint for Scotland – Scotland’s National Performance Framework

A new report from NatureScot and partners has highlighted how Scotland’s children could be offered increased amounts of outdoor learning and play, stimulating a post-pandemic generation’s connection to nature and its benefits.

Teacher professional learning has been identified as one of the most significant catalysts for bringing innovation and sustainability into our education systems. The EU has formally called for Learning for Sustainability to become a key priority area in education policies and programmes and for support to be given to educators through training and professional development. A new report shares examples of good practice from across Europe – including Scotland.

Taking action on climate change is one of the major challenges of our times, and education has a major role to play. Teach the Future has four key asks for policy makers and presented them at a Scottish Parliamentary reception on 22 March.

Our Learning for Sustainability ‘Connect’ sessions have been bringing educators and guest speakers together to network and share since March 2022, and in our latest session, we explored the place of Learning for Sustainability as a core element of the 2023 National Improvement Framework and Improvement Plan .

Learning for Sustainability Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland) have worked together to create the GTC Scotland Learning for Sustainability Hub: a ‘one-stop-shop’ to support teachers to weave LfS across their practice.

It’s #TimeforLfS. At a time of major reforms in Scottish education, we share more about the imminent refresh of the national Learning for Sustainability Action Plan and the opportunities this presents for Scottish education.

On 21st February, YouthLink Scotland and Learning for Sustainability Scotland were delighted to welcome participants to ‘Sustainability, Employability and Youthwork: developing skills for a sustainable and just future’ – our first webinar for 2023.

Betsy King, Development Manager with Learning for Sustainability Scotland, is Regional Advisor for the European network of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) in Education for Sustainable Development. In December 2022, she travelled to Japan to participate in the 17th meeting of the strategic Ubuntu Committee of Peers.

Our 2022 AGM was held online on 11th January and we were delighted to welcome a wonderfully diverse range of members from across the many educational sectors that comprise the Learning for Sustainability Scotland membership. read on to hear more about this event.

We warmly welcome the news that the Scottish Government has strengthened the profile and visibility of Learning for Sustainability in the 2023 ‘Achieving Excellence and Equity: National Improvement Framework and improvement plan’ (or ‘NIF’).

Published annually, this document ‘sets out the vision and priorities for Scottish education that have been agreed across the system, and the national improvement activity that needs to be undertaken to help deliver those key priorities.’
We have highlighted some of the key points from this document in this article.

It is a time of change in Scottish education, with warmly-welcomed opportunities to examine, discuss and reflect on system-wide reform. Learning for Sustainability is a key element in these opportunities… [read more]

We’re delighted to share our recent success in the 2022 Regional Centres of Expertise in Education (RCE) Awards for Innovative Projects on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

Our ‘Agents of Change Toolkit’ received an ‘Outstanding Flagship Project’ award, and our ‘Connecting Youth Work and Learning for Sustainability’ initiative received an ‘Acknowledged Flagship Project’ award.

Dr Beth Christie, Senior Lecturer in Moray House School of Education at the University of Edinburgh, was a delegate at COP27. In this video, she reflects on her experiences at the Conference – and what it means for learners, educators and enablers of learning across the world:

Laura Curtis-Moss is Vice-Chair of the Learning for Sustainability Scotland Steering Group and our Youth Co-ordinator. In this blog, she reflects on her recent participation in the 2022 RCE Europe Regional Meeting.