National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland

The National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) provides a framework to support the contribution that the education sector is making and will continue to make towards a more sustainable future at a number of levels: individual, community, local, national and international.

Second National Strategy — ESD to 2030

ESD to 2030 is co-sponsored by the Department of Education, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

First National ESD Strategy 2014 -2020

The Interim Review of The National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland 2014 – 2020 reflects consultation with stakeholders. It provides evidence of the considerable progress that has been achieved in raising awareness about and embedding Education for Sustainable Development principles and practices at all levels in our education system.

On World Earth Day, 22 April 2021, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, and Minister for Education Norma Foley jointly launched a public consultation on the development of the second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development to 2030, by their two departments. The consultation closed on 30 June 2021. Learn more at:

Joint Public Consultation on a National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to 2030

National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland – Public Consultation Submissions

The ESD Art Competition for Schools has now closed. Thank you to all who entered.

Please note that UNESCO have extended the deadline for receipt of national nominees for the UNESCO Japan Prize 2025, and on that basis we are extending our deadline to COB Friday 18th April 2025

The Education for Sustainable Development Newsletter will keep you up to date with the latest ESD news.

Sign up to receive the newsletter.

National Forum on Education for Sustainable Development

The National Forum on Education for Sustainable Development is held on an annual basis.

The ESD Forum provides an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on Ireland’s progress in relation to Education for Sustainable Development, developments and themes emergent in this sphere, a platform for discussion and engagement, networking and sharing of ideas to facilitate discourse on future direction in this key area.

The Climate Action Plan 2021(CAP21) envisages the public sector leading by example on climate action to reach the target of reducing Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and becoming climate neutral no later than 2050. Each public sector body to which the Mandate applies will develop a Climate Action Roadmap setting out how it will deliver on its energy efficiency and emissions reduction targets.

Recognising the variance between large public bodies and the school sector and the distinctive role schools are playing in the areas of Education for Sustainable Development and Climate, a dedicated School Sector Climate Action Mandate was published in March 2023. The School Sector Climate Action Mandate sets out the overall targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage and how schools can play their part in the Climate Action agenda including through the adoption of a Sustainability Policy Statement.

The Department has developed a Sustainability Toolkit for Schools to support them in adopting a Sustainability Policy Statement. The toolkit consists of:

A Sustainability Self-Assessment tool

A Sustainability Guidelines document

A Sustainability Policy Statement template

Your school can use the sustainability toolkit to support the development of your schools Sustainability Policy Statement. Celebrate and share the work your school is doing to show leadership on Climate Action.

The Department has compiled this list of ESD related Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for teachers. The list will be updated as required.

ESD at primary and post-primary level: ESD@education.gov.ie

ESD at further and higher education level: ESD@dfheris.gov.ie

ESD at early learning and care level: ESD@equality.gov.ie