Education for Sustainable Development
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is an educational approach focused on empowering students with knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to create a societally just, economically viable and environmentally sound world for present and future generations.
ESD is relevant to all disciplines and all levels of education. It aims to prepare us to make informed decisions and take action to address local and global challenges.
ESD is key to achieving UL’s goal to empower students, graduates and staff to be active citizens, who contribute to the wellbeing and future of the planet. (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy 2022-2027).
To achieve it, we embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in modules and programmes, providing opportunities to develop student competence through a learning environment that is active, reflective & reflexive, collaborative and oriented to real-world examples and issues.
Staff resources
Foundations in ESD course
This is a 25hr professional development course for UL staff from all disciplines who want to know more about ESD and explore practical ways of embedding sustainability into teaching and learning. It is a cross-faculty collaboration in design and delivery, and is endorsed by the HEA National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Participants earn a Digital Badge issued by the HEA on completion.
Dates
The third rollout of this course will be in 2026/27 Semester 2.
Format and time commitment
25 hrs over 5 or 6 weeks with weekly workshops, peer groups and self-directed activity.
Course outline
- Topic 1: Introduction to ESD and the SDGs
- Topic 2: Mapping modules and programmes to the SDGs using practical mapping tools
- Topic 3: Embedding sustainability competencies – using Green Comp, the European sustainability competence framework
- Topic 4: Embedding ESD in learning outcomes, learning environment & assessment
- Topic 5: From Learning to Practice – embedding ESD in your work
ESD Resource Hub on Brightspace
The ESD Resource Hub has information and resources on ESD for educators. Explore a range of practical supports including tools for mapping modules and programmes to the UN SDGs, examples of ESD pedagogies, case studies and discipline-specific examples. Whether starting out or building on existing practice, the hub offers guidance and inspiration for integrating ESD across disciplines.
To access, go to learn.ul.ie and log in using your UL staff credentials. Use the Discover option on the top bar to search for Education for Sustainable Development. From here you can self-enrol on the ESD Resource Hub
Case studies
The HEA ESD Spotlight Series in 2025 resulted in a Case Studies Compendium which brings together 115 case studies from higher education institutions across Ireland. It shows how universities and colleges are integrating sustainability into teaching, research, curriculum design, assessment practices and community engagement. It provides a excellent resource for educators seeking examples of practice-based innovation across a range of disciplines.
ESD Case Study Compendium
ESD workshops
Becoming a Global & Active Citizen – workshop series September - December 2026
Join us each month to explore global and active citizenship and how it can be embedded in Learning, Teaching & Assessment. The series will include practical workshops, a photography exhibition, a fair, keynotes and case studies. Registration details will be advertised through the Centre for Transformative Learning.
Embedding sustainability into modules/programmes
A one-off workshop for programme teams or Departments focused on mapping to the UN SDGs, reframing Learning Outcomes, learning environment and assessment. Contact the Centre for Transformative Learning ESD Lead for further information and booking. email: una.mcinerney@ul.ie.
ESD Leadership course
Leading from within: Capacity Building for ESD Leadership is a 25 hr open course offered through the HEA National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning.
Led from UL in collaboration with other HEIs, it aims to develop the capacity of Higher and Further Education staff to take leadership roles in furthering ESD in their own context. Participants who complete the course will be awarded a digital badge by the HEA.
The course explores different forms and levels of leadership for sustainability – taking a holistic approach and going beyond business-oriented leadership approaches (e.g. mentoring, advocacy, role-modelling, activism).
Using innovative and reflexive activities and methods, it explores and harnesses the creative arts and humanities to foster self-awareness, empathy, critical reflection, creative collaboration and problem-solving.
Course dates for 2026/27 to be confirmed.
In order to be eligible, staff must first have completed one of the following courses: UL Foundations in ESD or the HEA-run Education for Sustainability or Embedding the SDGs in the Curriculum courses
Further support
Staff can access support for ESD through the Centre for Transformative Learning by contacting the ESD Lead.
Úna McInerney
una.mcinerney@ul.ie
