This overview introduces the Higher Education Authority’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Framework for Higher Education: a connected suite of resources supporting whole-of-institution ESD across Irish higher education. It explains the Framework’s purpose, its relationship to national and international ESD priorities, and how its component resources work together to provide strategic direction, sector evidence, structured reflection, thematic insight and opportunities for peer learning.
The Framework connects curriculum, campus operations, governance, research and community engagement. It is intended for institutional leaders, educators, professional staff, students and representative bodies, ESD and sustainability leads, teaching and learning units, quality and enhancement teams, community partners and policy stakeholders.
Benefit of this resource and how to make the best use of it
Use this resource as the starting point for engaging with the wider HEA ESD Framework. It can help institutions:
Understand the purpose and relationship of the different Framework resources.
Select the most relevant resource according to local needs and stage of development.
Connect existing ESD activity across curriculum, campus, governance, research and community engagement.
Introduce the Framework to senior leaders, committees, programme teams and cross-functional working groups.
Align ESD with institutional planning, quality enhancement, climate action and performance processes.
The document proposes a useful pathway: understand the sector context; set institutional direction; reflect and plan; deepen practice; and share and strengthen learning. Institutions may, however, move between the resources in ways that suit their mission, context and capacity.
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Lowry, C., Kelly, M., Woods, R., & Conlon, T. (29/07/2026). Hea education for sustainable development framework for higher education. National Resource Hub (Ireland). Retrieved from: https://hub.teachingandlearning.ie/resource/hea-education-for-sustainable-development-framework-for-higher-education/ License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY).
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This open educational resource supports pre-service teachers in developing practical approaches to social justice in Physical Education. Through visual case studies, reflective prompts, and introductory concepts, it encourages critical reflection, collaborative discussion, and informed decision-making based on authentic school placement experiences
The HEA ESD Self-Evaluation Tool is a voluntary, developmental resource that supports higher education institutions in reviewing and strengthening whole-of-institution Education for Sustainable Development. It helps institutions undertake structured reflection on current strengths, gaps and progression, identify local priorities and plan practical next steps.
The tool is organised around the five ESD to 2030 Priority Action Areas. For each area, it provides developmental descriptors across three broad stages of practice: Emerging, Established and Leading. It is intended to support dialogue, planning and quality enhancement.
This resource sets out five strategic enablers that can support the implementation of Education for Sustainable Development across all areas of a higher education institution:
1. Collaboration and commitment
2. Holistic and transformational practice, scholarship and leadership
3. Capacity-building and professional development
4. Student partnership, engagement and leadership
5. Reciprocal learning communities
The Enablers translate national and international ESD commitments into shared language, strategic direction and practical prompts for higher education. They address curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, campus operations, governance, leadership, professional learning, student partnership, research and reciprocal engagement with communities.
The resource is designed to support institutional reflection, planning and enhancement rather than prescribe a single model. It recognises institutional autonomy, diversity of mission and disciplinary differences.
