Eco-Leaders: Empowering Teachers for a Sustainable Future

The motivation of the project stems from the urgent need to equip teachers with the leadership skills required to address environmental challenges, adapt to the digital transformation & enhance critical & ecolinguistic competencies. Education plays a critical role in shaping the mindset & behaviors of future generations, and teachers are at the forefront of this transformation. However, many teachers lack the necessary training & tools to integrate sustainability & digital innovation into their classrooms. By targeting teacher development in green digital, ecological, critical & ecolinguistic skills, the project addresses several pressing educational & environmental needs.

The world is facing a climate crisis that requires urgent action & education is pivotal in raising awareness & promoting sustainable practices. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures are projected to rise by 1.5°C between 2030 & 2052 if current rates of greenhouse gas emissions continue. This has led to an increasing focus on the role of education in mitigating climate change, as seen in reports by UNESCO, which emphasize that climate literacy is essential for empowering individuals & communities to act on environmental issues.

EcoLeaders aims to address this need by training teachers to become leaders in green & ecological education, equipping them to foster environmental consciousness in students & the wider community. Research by Ellen Field, published in the Environmental Education Research Journal, highlights that while 80% of teachers believe climate change should be taught in schools, only 30% feel they are well-prepared to do so. This indicates a significant gap in teacher training, which this project seeks to fill by providing educators with the tools to lead sustainability efforts.

In the context of digital transformation, education must adapt to incorporate new technologies that can support sustainable development. The EC Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027) emphasizes the importance of enhancing digital skills for the green transition, calling for education systems to adopt green digital technologies that reduce environmental impact & promote climate education.