Universität zu Köln

Schönstein, Robin Felix and Budke, Alexandra ORCID: 0000-0003-1063-8991 (2026). Encouraging a sense of responsibility among German geography students in the context of Education for Sustainable Development. Environmental Education Research, 32 (7). pp. 1928-1951. Taylor & Francis. ISSN 1350-4622

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Abstract

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a central part of the German curriculum across all subjects and school types. Geography, in particular, lends itself well to ESD integration. The aim of ESD is to empower students to take action and practise sustainable behaviour in the classroom. In order to achieve this, students should become aware of their own responsibility, as well as that of other actors, on sustainability issues through geography lessons. This article describes four levels of responsibility (space, groups, sustainability dimensions and time) that should be addressed in geography lessons focusing on ESD. An exploratory qualitative intervention study of two school classes tested the extent to which a differentiated sense of responsibility could be promoted among students through lessons that took these dimensions into account. The results show that the students were able to analyse the actors involved and the consequences of their actions. However, they struggled to perceive their own responsibility in a differentiated way, and to describe the responsibility of other groups of actors. In particular, the students were reluctant to hold the government accountable. The intervention helped the students to become more aware of their own responsibility and that of other groups. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that they developed a differentiated sense of responsibility.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Schönstein, Robin Felix UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Budke, Alexandra UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1063-8991 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-811841
Identification Number:	10.1080/13504622.2025.2555326
Journal or Publication Title:	Environmental Education Research
Volume:	32
Number:	7
Page Range:	pp. 1928-1951
Number of Pages:	24
Date:	3 July 2026
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	1350-4622
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Mathematics and Science Education > Institute of Geography Education
Subjects:	Education Earth sciences Geography and travel
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Education for Sustainable Development ; action competence ; sense of responsibility ; sustainable development ; responsible action English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/81184