Environmental Education for Green Economy Development: Challenges and Opportunities

The transition toward a green economy is essential for achieving sustainable development that balances environmental integrity, social equity, and economic growth. Environmental education (EE) plays a pivotal role in this transformation by promoting environmental literacy, awareness, and skills necessary for sustainable economic practices. This paper explores the interrelationship between environmental education and green economy development, emphasizing their shared goal of fostering resource efficiency and low-carbon growth. It discusses the conceptual foundations of environmental education and the green economy, highlighting how educational initiatives can build competencies in green technologies, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and renewable energy sectors. Global and national perspectives reveal progress through policy frameworks such as the Tbilisi Declaration, Agenda 21, and the Sustainable Development Goals, yet gaps persist in policy integration, funding, teacher training, and curriculum reform. Challenges such as limited institutional coordination, lack of experiential learning, and socioeconomic disparities hinder effective implementation. However, opportunities exist in aligning educational strategies with economic planning, integrating green skills into curricula, and strengthening collaborations between government, academia, and industry. The study concludes that environmental education serves as the foundation for sustainable economic transformation by fostering eco-conscious behavior, innovation, and social responsibility. Strengthening EE frameworks is therefore vital to achieving the global transition toward a resilient and inclusive green economy.