Environmental Education and Sustainability: A Thematic Literature Review of Concepts, Practices, and Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48112/iijbs.v5i1.1269Abstract
Abstract Views: 4
Environmental education (EE) is increasingly recognized as a critical tool for promoting sustainability, fostering ecological awareness, and shaping pro-environmental behaviors. This thematic literature review synthesizes research across multiple disciplines to explore the conceptual foundations, pedagogical strategies, and outcomes of EE, with a focus on sustainability education. Using a qualitative thematic approach, the review identifies four primary themes: Conceptual Frameworks and Theories of EE, Pedagogical Approaches and Learning Strategies, Impact on Environmental Awareness and Behavior, and Challenges and Barriers to Effective Implementation. Findings indicate that effective EE integrates experiential learning, interdisciplinary approaches, and culturally relevant strategies, yet faces challenges related to institutional constraints, policy gaps, and socio-cultural contexts. The review underscores the importance of embedding EE within broader sustainability initiatives and provides recommendations for research, policy, and practice.
Keywords:
environmental education, sustainability, pro-environmental behavior, thematic review, pedagogy, environmental awarenessReferences
Ahmed, S. (2025). Discursive Constructions in Macbeth: A Systemic-Functional Contribution to English Language Teaching. Academy of Education and Social Sciences Review, 5(4), 568-578.
Al-Hawtali, A. M., Zaib, K., & Al-Hossini, A. S. (2025). Voices in exile: Postcolonial identity and Muslim immigrant experience in Abdulrazak Gurnah's Admiring Silence. Academy of Education and Social Sciences Review, 5(4), 579-588.
Ali, U. A., Rafique, M., Dahri, A. S., & Kolachi, I. A. (2025). Breaking the vicious cycle: Gender empowerment, political stability, and anti-corruption as catalysts for national statistical reforms. Policy Journal of Social Science Review, 3(10), 234-259.
Aziz, A., Rafique, M., Azher, S., & Ali, M. (2025). Examining the Effectiveness of Women Business & Law Empowerment: A Global Cross Sectional Analysis. Research Consortium Archive, 3(4), 239-277.
Brahmi, M., Hussain, Z., Majeed, M. U., Khan, A., Qureshi, M. A., & Bansal, R. (2025). Corporate social responsibility’s influence on brand image in the automotive sector: the corporate reputation and product quality role. Administrative Sciences, 15(4), 121. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15040121
Dahri, A. S., Umrani, A. I., Asif, M., & Mehmood, S. (2025). The Evolution of the Psychological Contract in the Gig Economy. Journal of Management & Social Science, 2(6), 131-149.
Guanghua, L., Soomar, A. M., Shah, S. H. H., Shaikh, S., & Musznicki, P. (2025). Maximum power point tracking strategies for solar PV systems: A review of current methods and future innovations. Results in Engineering, 107227.
Hussain, Z., Khan, A., Qureshi, M.A., Bansal, R., Pruthi, N., The Impact of Online Reviews on Sustainable Product Adoption in the Food Industry: A Serial Mediation Effect of Consumer Trust and Perceived Value, Journal of Promotion Management (2025), Taylor & Francis https://doi.org/10.1080/10496491.2025.2530056
Katper, N., Salman, S. M., Mohy‐ud‐Din, K., & Hassan, M. (2025). Mapping Interference in Green Finance, Environmental, and Social Innovation: A New Insight From Quantile‐on‐Quantile Approach. Environmental Quality Management, 35(1), e70163.
Khan, R. A., Bibi, M., Khokhar, M., & Tufail, M. M. B. (2025). Geographic Information System and AI Integration to Support Sustainable Environment: A Glance from the Construction Sector. In Harnessing AI in Geospatial Technology for Environmental Monitoring and Management (pp. 145-176). IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
Rafique, M. O. (2025). Impact of the Shariah Board's Characteristics on the Financial Soundness of Islamic Banks. In The Routledge Handbook of Islamic Economics and Finance (pp. 320-329). Routledge.
Rafique, M. O., & Raza, K. M. (2025). Islamic Green Finance: A Marriage of Ethics and Environmental Responsibility in Light of Maqasid al-Shari'ah. In Islamic Green Finance (pp. 3-19). Routledge.
Rafique, M. O., Hureri, M. A., & Riaz, M. (2025). Green banking: Performance of three Pakistani Islamic banks in environmental projects. Southern Journal of Social Sciences, 3(1). Retrieved from https://sjss.isp.edu.pk/index.php/about/article/view/55/31
Rafique, M. O., Qureshi, M. A., Ali, U. A., & Ali, L. (2025). Strategic Growth and Innovation at Venture Dive: A Case Study of a Global Software Development Firm. International Journal of Trends and Innovations in Business & Social Sciences, 3(4), 382-391.
Rafique, M. O., Qureshi, M. A., Ali, U. A., & Ali, L. (2025). Strategic Growth and Innovation at Venture Dive: A Case Study of a Global Software Development Firm. International Journal of Trends and Innovations in Business & Social Sciences, 3(4), 382-391.
Shaikh, D. H., Rafique, M., Dahri, A. S., & Kolachi, I. A. (2025). From inequality to integrity: An empirical investigation into the determinants of regulatory quality. Journal of Social Horizons, 2(4), 464-473. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17335087
Shaikh, D. H., Rafique, M., Dahri, A. S., & Kolachi, I. A. (2025). From inequality to integrity: An empirical investigation into the determinants of regulatory quality. Journal of Social Horizons, 2(4), 464-473.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 iRAPA International Journal of Business Studies
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
