THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD) IMPLEMENTATION IN CHEMISTRY EDUCATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32699/spektra.v11i2.10315Keywords:
chemistry education, education for sustainable development, Sustainability Competencies, green chemistryAbstract
This study presents a systematic literature review of the implementation of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in chemistry education between 2012 and 2025. A total of 15 articles were analyzed, encompassing both international and national studies, with the aim of mapping theoretical models, instructional innovations, and student outcomes within the framework of ESD. The findings reveal that research in this area can be categorized into two major contributions: conceptual contributions, which focus on developing models, frameworks, and didactic theories, and practical contributions, which emphasize instructional media, laboratory modules, contextual teaching tools, and project-based learning strategies. Practical contributions dominate the literature, demonstrating significant impacts on students’ chemistry literacy, creativity, and sustainability awareness. However, competencies such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and action competence remain underexplored and insufficiently assessed. The review further highlights that while teachers and pre-service teachers generally show positive attitudes toward ESD, their understanding often remains limited to environmental dimensions, underscoring the need for more comprehensive professional preparation. These findings suggest that future research should adopt a more balanced agenda that integrates conceptual development with practical innovations, while systematically fostering a broader spectrum of sustainability competencies. In conclusion, chemistry education holds substantial potential to contribute not only to the mastery of scientific knowledge but also to the cultivation of responsible citizens equipped to address the complex challenges of sustainable development.
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Odintsova, T. (2024). Esg Competences and Skills in Lifelong Education for Sustainability. Environment Technology Resources Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference. https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2024vol2.8091
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Schönstein, R. F., & Budke, A. (2024). Teaching Action Competence in Education for Sustainable Development – A Qualitative Study on Teachers’ Ideas, Opinions, Attitudes and Self-Conceptions. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1256849
Semiz, G. K., & Işler, I. (2020). Middle School Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers’ Opinions Related to Mathematics Education for Sustainability. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2020.89.6
Soini, K., Korhonen‐Kurki, K., & Asikainen, H. (2019). Transactional Learning and Sustainability Co-Creation in a University – Business Collaboration. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe-11-2018-0215
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York, S., & Orgill, M. (2020). ChEMIST Table: A Tool for Designing or Modifying Instruction for a Systems Thinking Approach in Chemistry Education. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00382
Zidny, R., Eilks, I., & Laraswati, A. N. (2021). A Case Study on Students’ Application of Chemical Concepts and Use of Arguments in Teaching on the Sustainability-Oriented Chemistry Issue of Pesticides Use Under Inclusion of Different Scientific Worldviews. In Eurasia Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/10979
Zowada, C., Gulacar, O., & Eilks, I. (2018). Innovating Undergraduate General Chemistry by Integrating Sustainability-Related Socio-Scientific Issues. Action Research and Innovation in Science Education. https://doi.org/10.51724/arise.9
Zuhaida, A., Widodo, A., Prima, E. C., & Solihat, R. (2024). Developing Indicators for Science Teacher Competency in Stem-Esd Learning. Proceedings of ICE. https://doi.org/10.32672/pice.v2i1.1310
Zuin, V. G., Segatto, M. L., Zandonai, D. P., Grosseli, G. M., Stahl, A. M., Zanotti, K., & Silva Andrade, R. da. (2019). Integrating Green and Sustainable Chemistry Into Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories: Closing and Assessing the Loop on the Basis of a Citrus Biorefinery Approach for the Biocircular Economy in Brazil. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00286
Zulfarina, Z., Azizahwati, A., & Ruslindawati, R. (2023). Analysis of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a Basis for Development of Biotechnology Teaching Materials. SHS Web of Conferences. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202317302001
Anyolo, E. O., Kärkkäinen, S., & Keinonen, T. (2018). Implementing Education for Sustainable Development in Namibia: School Teachers’ Perceptions and Teaching Practices. Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.2478/jtes-2018-0004
Armstrong, L. B., Rivas, M. C., Zhou, Z., Irie, L., Kerstiens, G. A., Robak, M. T., Douskey, M. C., & Baranger, A. M. (2019). Developing a Green Chemistry Focused General Chemistry Laboratory Curriculum: What Do Students Understand and Value About Green Chemistry? Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00277
Blatti, J. L., S. Garcia, J. A., Cave, D., Monge, F., Cuccinello, A., Portillo, J., Juarez, B. M., Chan, E., & Schwebel, F. (2019). Systems Thinking in Science Education and Outreach Toward a Sustainable Future. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00318
Büssing, A. G., Schleper, M., & Menzel, S. (2018). Do Pre-Service Teachers Dance With Wolves? Subject-Specific Teacher Professional Development in a Recent Biodiversity Conservation Issue. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11010047
Corrêa Gomes, C. J., & Zuin, V. G. (2023). Green and Sustainable Chemistry Teacher Education: Experiences From a Brazilian University. Sustainable Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.3390/suschem4030020
Félix, S. M. (2023). Critical Thinking (Dis)Positions in Education for Sustainable Development—A Positioning Theory Perspective. Education Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13070666
Fuertes, M. T., Martín, M. G., Loss, M. F., & Balaguer-Fàbregas, M. C. (2019). Integrating Sustainability Into Higher Education Curricula Through the Project Method, a Global Learning Strategy. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030767
Harta, J., Pamenang, F. D. N., Listyarini, R. V., Wijayanti, L. W., Hapsari, N. D., Ratri, M. C., Asy’ari, M., & Lee, W. (2019). ANALYSIS STUDENTSâ€TM SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRACTICUM BASED ON SMALL SCALE CHEMISTRY (SSC). Unnes Science Education Journal, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.15294/usej.v8i3.31857
Hepper, J. (2021). Making Change Visible – An Explorative Case Study of Dealing With Climate Change Deniers in Forest Education. Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.2478/jtes-2021-0005
Herranen, J., Yavuzkaya, M., & Sjöström, J. (2021). Embedding Chemistry Education Into Environmental and Sustainability Education: Development of a Didaktik Model Based on an Eco-Reflexive Approach. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041746
Ichinose, T. (2017). An Analysis of Transformation of Teaching and Learning of Japanese Schools That Significantly Addressed Education for Sustainable Development. Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1515/jtes-2017-0013
Karvonen, R., Ratinen, I., & Kemi, U. (2023). Promoting Sustainability Competency and Self-Efficacy in Class Teacher Education. Frontiers in Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2023.1205680
Kolleck, N., Jörgens, H., & Well, M. (2017). Levels of Governance in Policy Innovation Cycles in Community Education: The Cases of Education for Sustainable Development and Climate Change Education. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9111966
Lamanauskas, V., & Malinauskienė, D. (2024). Education for Sustainable Development in Primary School: Understanding, Importance, and Implementation. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education. https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/14685
Larsson, J., & Samuelsson, I. P. (2019). Collective Resources as a Precursor for Educating Children Toward a Sustainable Global World. Ecnu Review of Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/2096531119886506
Mahaffy, P. G., Matlin, S. A., Whalen, J. M., & Holme, T. A. (2019). Integrating the Molecular Basis of Sustainability into General Chemistry through Systems Thinking. Journal of Chemical Education, 96(12), 2730–2741. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00390
Moreno-Pino, F. M., Jiménez-Fontana, R., Cardeñoso Domingo, J. M., & Pilar Goded, M. del. (2021). Study of the Presence of Sustainability Competencies in Teacher Training in Mathematics Education. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105629
Mukhambetaliyeva, Z., Zeinolla, S., & Uzakova, A. (2025). Pedagogical Aspects of Aligning Chemistry Teachers’ Professional Competence With the Sustainable Development Goals. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202502.2192.v1
Murti, A. D., & Hernani, H. (2023). The Contributing of Chemistry Learning in Supporting Education for Sustainable Development: A Systematic Literature Review. Jurnal Pendidikan Kimia. https://doi.org/10.24114/jpkim.v15i1.41233
Odintsova, T. (2024). Esg Competences and Skills in Lifelong Education for Sustainability. Environment Technology Resources Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference. https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2024vol2.8091
Pascual, E. S., Sanz, B. U., Martín, O. L., Trabada, A. V., & Dı́az, T. (2020). Interdisciplinarity in Teacher Education: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Educational Innovation Project. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176748
Pazicni, S., & Flynn, A. B. (2019). Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education: Theoretical Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00416
Perello-Marin, M. R., Ribes‐Giner, G., & Díaz, O. P. (2018). Enhancing Education for Sustainable Development in Environmental University Programmes: A Co-Creation Approach. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010158
Pimpa, N. (2024). Sustainability. International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijabim.341432
Rahmawati, Y., Mardiah, A., Taylor, E., Taylor, P., & Ridwan, A. (2023). Chemistry Learning Through Culturally Responsive Transformative Teaching (CRTT): Educating Indonesian High School Students for Cultural Sustainability. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086925
Rahmawati, Y., Taylor, E., Taylor, P., Ridwan, A., & Mardiah, A. (2022). Students’ Engagement in Education as Sustainability: Implementing an Ethical Dilemma-Steam Teaching Model in Chemistry Learning. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063554
Redman, A., & Wiek, A. (2021). Competencies for Advancing Transformations Towards Sustainability. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.785163
Salovaara, J. J., Soini, K., & Pietikäinen, J. (2019). Sustainability Science in Education: Analysis of Master’s Programmes’ Curricula. Sustainability Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-019-00745-1
Schönstein, R. F., & Budke, A. (2024). Teaching Action Competence in Education for Sustainable Development – A Qualitative Study on Teachers’ Ideas, Opinions, Attitudes and Self-Conceptions. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1256849
Semiz, G. K., & Işler, I. (2020). Middle School Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers’ Opinions Related to Mathematics Education for Sustainability. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2020.89.6
Soini, K., Korhonen‐Kurki, K., & Asikainen, H. (2019). Transactional Learning and Sustainability Co-Creation in a University – Business Collaboration. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe-11-2018-0215
Su, C. S., Díaz–Levicoy, D., Vásquez, C., & Hsu, C. C. (2023). Sustainable Development Education for Training and Service Teachers Teaching Mathematics: A Systematic Review. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108435
Waltner, E.-M., Rieß, W., & Mischo, C. (2019). Development and Validation of an Instrument for Measuring Student Sustainability Competencies. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061717
Wissinger, J. E., Visa, A., Saha, B., Matlin, S. A., Mahaffy, P. G., Kümmerer, K., & Cornell, S. (2021). Integrating Sustainability Into Learning in Chemistry. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00284
York, S., & Orgill, M. (2020). ChEMIST Table: A Tool for Designing or Modifying Instruction for a Systems Thinking Approach in Chemistry Education. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00382
Zidny, R., Eilks, I., & Laraswati, A. N. (2021). A Case Study on Students’ Application of Chemical Concepts and Use of Arguments in Teaching on the Sustainability-Oriented Chemistry Issue of Pesticides Use Under Inclusion of Different Scientific Worldviews. In Eurasia Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/10979
Zowada, C., Gulacar, O., & Eilks, I. (2018). Innovating Undergraduate General Chemistry by Integrating Sustainability-Related Socio-Scientific Issues. Action Research and Innovation in Science Education. https://doi.org/10.51724/arise.9
Zuhaida, A., Widodo, A., Prima, E. C., & Solihat, R. (2024). Developing Indicators for Science Teacher Competency in Stem-Esd Learning. Proceedings of ICE. https://doi.org/10.32672/pice.v2i1.1310
Zuin, V. G., Segatto, M. L., Zandonai, D. P., Grosseli, G. M., Stahl, A. M., Zanotti, K., & Silva Andrade, R. da. (2019). Integrating Green and Sustainable Chemistry Into Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories: Closing and Assessing the Loop on the Basis of a Citrus Biorefinery Approach for the Biocircular Economy in Brazil. Journal of Chemical Education. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00286
Zulfarina, Z., Azizahwati, A., & Ruslindawati, R. (2023). Analysis of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a Basis for Development of Biotechnology Teaching Materials. SHS Web of Conferences. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202317302001
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2025-10-24
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD) IMPLEMENTATION IN CHEMISTRY EDUCATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW. (2025). SPEKTRA: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan Sains, 11(2), 342-358. https://doi.org/10.32699/spektra.v11i2.10315
