Design Thinking for Sustainability Education

Framed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this text empowers educators and policymakers to integrate critical and creative problem-solving skills into their practice through a focus on sustainability and the pedagogical approach of design thinking. It also presents applied solutions through case studies grounded in contemporary sustainability practices. Driven by the urgent need to address climate change and environmental challenges, there is growing interest in sustainability education and the integration of sustainable practices into policy and curricula. This edited collection applies a range of design thinking models to curriculum reform across all educational levels, emphasizing the importance of equipping future students, curriculum designers, and policymakers with the tools to implement and sustain meaningful change. Through real-world environmental experiences written by educators, the book engages teachers and students in collaborative, community-based approaches to developing sustainable solutions. With a strong emphasis on practical application, the first section offers 'how-to' chapters that combine relevant literature, actionable ideas, and practical support to guide implementation. The second section, authored by experienced educators actively engaged in the field, presents examples and case studies from diverse global contexts, illustrating how the approaches from Section I have been applied in classrooms and the impact on student learning. This essential resource for teachers, pre-service educators, and higher education faculty across disciplines provides a comprehensive guide to fostering impactful sustainability practices in education.