Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) aims to help people develop sustainable thinking and actions. It goes beyond pure nature conservation, which is what most people associate with sustainability, and includes economic and social issues. The core idea is that we should not live at the expense of other people or future generations, in ecological, social, or economic terms. It is important to recognize that society, economy, and environment are interconnected and influence each other.

The foundation for ESD is the goal of "quality education," one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) established by the United Nations in 2015. These goals also mandate that ESD should be integrated into the education systems of individual countries. In Germany, however, it is not to be implemented as a standalone subject but rather as a cross-cutting theme in every class.
 

In January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) came into effect, applicable to all participating countries. These goals are to be implemented by 2030 under the Agenda 2030/SDGs framework to enable and sustain a sustainable coexistence in the areas of society, environment, and economy. The fourth goal, "quality education," includes Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). What is meant by ESD is further explained in point 4.7 of the SDGs. At the same time, ESD acts as an important driver for the realization of the entire Agenda 2030.

As one of the country's leading research universities, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) holds a role model position. In 2018, KIT was recognized as a "learning site for sustainable development" by the German UNESCO Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for its commitment to training future actors and decision-makers in the field of sustainability. In the Accompanying Studies on Sustainable Development, KIT offers various courses and certification opportunities to further educate oneself on issues of sustainable development. Additionally, the "Spring Academy on Sustainability" was awarded the Baden-Württemberg Teaching Award for ESD in 2021.

All eight KIT centers conduct interdisciplinary top-tier research on various areas of sustainability and climate protection, covering 10 of the 17 sustainability goals. The influence of sustainability thinking can be seen in research, administration, and infrastructure, demonstrating how it is implemented. A dedicated unit, the Sustainability Office, has been established to manage sustainability at KIT.

The Center for Teacher Education (ZLB), in cooperation with the KLIMA ARENA Sinsheim, offers a supplementary qualification in Education for Sustainable Development for teaching students.