Education for sustainable development (ESD) is education that helps learners of all ages acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to address interconnected global challenges such as climate change, environmental issues, biodiversity loss, poverty, and inequality. ESD is an integral part of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 and directly contributes to all the SDGs.

UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development Official Project Certification: Since 2011, the Korean National Commission for UNESCO has been identifying and supporting exemplary ESD practices across various sectors of Korean society—such as domestic institutions/organizations, schools, and civil society groups—through the “UNESCO ESD Official Project” certification programme. Projects are evaluated by a review panel based on criteria such as thematic relevance, effectiveness, satisfaction, originality, and inclusiveness. Those that pass this evaluation are certified following a review by the Korean National Committee on Education for Sustainable Development.