Achieving SDGs through Environmental Education in Bangladesh

Environmental Education (EE) is a concerned topic in the world now. It is one of the particular forms of education that can be integrated in all types of education. This can directly contribute to Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 4 (ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all).

Bangladesh faces numerous environmental issues including biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. Though EE is important for all levels of education to reach the agenda of sustainable development goals, there is a lack of environmental awareness and theoretical knowledge gaps and its practices in Bangladesh (Uddin, 2024). Currently, there is no specific policy document or curriculum on EE for school education in Bangladesh (Khatun, 2019). Climate change, environment and sustainability issues are inadequately presented in the primary and secondary levels curriculum (Cutter Mackenzie-Knowles et al., 2019). There is a gap in the area of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), particularly climate change education (Naomee, 2023). Research revealed university students’ positive perception of the EE course (Farhana & Al-Amin, 2022). Students’ level of environmental knowledge and awareness is inadequate to change their behavior, so it is hard for the country to ensure sustainable development (Uddin, 2024). Teachers’ perception about EE is not sufficient in Bangladesh due to lack of practical learning about the environment, dearth of incentives and actions, institutional flaw, inadequate policies, poor application as well as cultural and traditional beliefs (Uddin, 2024). To develop a highly positive attitude towards EE among students, such course content should be introduced at first in the primary education level (Sadek, 2023). This education empowers individuals to make conversant decisions to create a more sustainable future, promotes their critical thinking and problem solving expertise (Khatreja, 2023). It also impacts young people’s ecological awareness, sustainability practices and lifelong learning (Khatreja, 2023). Thus, it is crucial to integrate environmental learning in the education systems of Bangladesh to achieve SDGs by 2030.