Envisioning Sustainability Futures' Competencies in Higher Geography Education: How Context Shapes Students' Perspectives and Sustainable Development Goals' Awareness

Małgorzata Cichoń; Vít Kašpar; Barbara Baarová

doi:10.14746/quageo-2026-0035

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

Envisioning Sustainability Futures' Competencies in Higher Geography Education: How Context Shapes Students' Perspectives and Sustainable Development Goals' Awareness

Quaestiones Geographicae

AHEAD OF PRINT

By: Małgorzata Cichoń , Vít Kašpar and Barbara Baarová

Open Access

|Sep 2026

Abowardah E.S., Labib W., Aboelnagah H., Nurunnabi M., 2024. Students' perception of sustainable development in higher education in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability 16: 1483. DOI 10.3390/su16041483.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ahmadov T., Karimov A., Durst S., Saarela M., Gerstlberger W., Wahl M.F., Karkkainen T., 2025. A two-phase systematic literature review on the use of serious games for sustainable environmental education. Interactive Learning Environments 33(3): 1945–1966. DOI 10.1080/10494820.2024.2414429.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Al Husban W., 2025. The impact of integrating sustainable development goals on students' awareness and pro-environmental behavior: A case study of Jordan. Sustainability 17(6): 2588. DOI 10.3390/su17062588.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Alam M.S., Haque M.M., Hasan M.M., 2024. The impact of financial status on the academic performance of public university students in Bangladesh. GATR-Global Journal of Business Social Sciences Review 12(4): 161–168. DOI 10.35609/gjbssr.2024.12.4(1).
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Aleixo A.M., Leal S., Azeiteiro U.M., 2021. Higher education students' perceptions of sustainable development in Portugal. Journal of Cleaner Production 327: 129429. DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129429.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Al-Zohbi G., Pilotti M.A., 2023. Contradictions about sustainability: A case study of college students from Saudi Arabia. Sustainability 15: 3483. DOI 10.3390/su15043483.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Andrade H.L., 2019. A critical review of research on student self-assessment. Frontiers in Education 4: 87. DOI 10.3389/feduc.2019.00087.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bagoly-Simó P., 2014. Tracing sustainability: Education for sustainable development in the lower secondary geography curricula of Germany, Romania, and Mexico. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education 23(2): 126–141. DOI 10.1080/10382046.2014.908525.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bagoly-Simó P., Kriewaldt J., 2023. Future geography teachers for the planet. Powerful (disciplinary) knowledge and education for sustainable development (ESD) in initial teacher education (ITE). International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education 32(1): 1–3. DOI 10.1080/10382046.2023.2158622.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Barteková M., 2019. Tertiary students' financial behaviour: Recent study from Slovakia. Review of Integrative Business and Economics Research 8: 165.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Barth M., Godemann J., Rieckmann M., Stoltenberg U., 2007. Developing key competencies for sustainable development in higher education. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 8(4): 416–430. DOI 10.1108/14676370710823582.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bianchi G., Pisiotis U., Cabrera M., 2022. GreenComp, The European sustainability competence framework. Publications Office of the European Union. Luxembourg. DOI 10.2760/13286.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bush A., Löns M., 2024. Fostering sustainable behavior through informal education on social media: The role of Instagram in shaping student lifestyles. Research on Education and Media 16(2): 37–49. DOI 10.2478/rem-2024-0014.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Caldana A.C.F., Eustachio J.H.P.P., Lespinasse Sampaio B., Gianotto M.L., Batalhão A.C., 2023. A hybrid approach to sustainable development competencies: The role of formal, informal and non-formal learning experiences. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 24(2): 235–258. DOI 10.1108/IJSHE-10-2020-0420.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Canovan C., 2020. Sharing the pi: Are incentives and effective method of attracting a more diverse science festival audience? International Journal of Science Education, PartB 10(3): 217–231. DOI 10.1080/21548455.2020.1753126.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cebrián G., Junyent M., 2015. Competencies in education for sustainable development: Exploring the student teachers' views. Sustainability 7(3): 2768–2786. DOI 10.3390/su7032768.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cichoń M., Baarová B., 2025. The importance of the university environment in shaping competences relating to sustainable development among geography students in Poland and Czechia. In: Piróg D., Świętek A. (eds), Future – Ready geography. Goals, problems and challenges. Springer: 153–175. DOI 10.1007/978-3-031-81268-2_8.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cichoń M., Piotrowska I., 2018. Level of academic and didactic competencies among students as a measure to evaluate geographical education and preparation of students for the demands of the modern labour market. Quaestiones Geographicae 37(1): 81–94. DOI 10.2478/quageo-2018-0006.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cichoń M., Warachowska W., Łowicki D., 2021. Attitudes of young people towards lakes as a premise for their public participation in environmental management. Frontiers in Earth Science 9: 683808. DOI 10.3389/fenvs.2021.683808.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Enke K.A., Budke A., 2023. Preparing students for a changing world: How geography curricula in Europe are tackling climate change. Frontiers in Education 8: 1216780. DOI 10.3389/feduc.2023.1216780.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
European Commission, 2000. European Communities: A Memorandum on Lifelong Learning. Available at: https://arhiv.acs.si/dokumenti/Memorandum_on_Lifelong_Learning.pdf.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Feucht V., Dierkes P.W., Kleespies M.W., 2024. Ranking our future: University students' prioritization of sustainable development goals and their connection to nature. Sustainable Development 33: 3266–3282. DOI 10.1002/sd.3278.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Galt R.E., Parr D., Jagannath J., 2013. Facilitating competency development in sustainable agriculture and food systems education: A self-assessment approach. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 11(1): 69–88. DOI 10.1080/14735903.2012.683569.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gifford R., Nilsson A., 2014. Personal and social factors that influence pro-environmental concern and behaviour: A review. International Journal of Psychology 49(3): 141–157. DOI 10.1002/ijop.12034.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gress D.R., Tschapka J.M., 2017. Bridging geography and education for sustainable development: A Korean example. Journal of Geography 116(1): 34–43. DOI 10.1080/00221341.2015.1119874.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hajj-Hassan M., Chaker R., Cederqvist A.M., 2024. Environmental education: A systematic review on the use of digital tools for fostering sustainability awareness. Sustainability 16(9): 3733. DOI 10.3390/su16093733.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Haklay M., Jankowski P., Zwolinski Z., 2018. Selected modern methods and tools for public participation in urban planning – a review. Quaestiones Geographicae 37(3): 127–149. DOI 10.2478/quageo-2018-0030.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hammer T., Lewis A.L., 2023. Which competencies should be fostered in education for sustainable development at higher education institutions? Findings from the evaluation of the study programs at the University of Bern, Switzerland. Discover Sustainability 4: 19. DOI 10.1007/s43621-023-00134-w.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hirschauer N., Grüner S., Mußhoff O., Becker C., Jantsch A., 2020. Can p-values be meaningfully interpreted without random sampling? Statistics Surveys 14: 71–91. DOI 10.1214/20-SS129.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hopkinson P., Hughes P., Layer G., 2008. Sustainable graduates: Linking formal, informal and campus curricula to embed education for sustainable development in the student learning experience. Environmental Education Research 14(4): 435–454. DOI 10.1080/13504620802283100.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
IBM Corporation 2022. SPSS Statistics 29. Documentation. Available at: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/spsssta-tistics/29.0.0%0A%0A.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jati H.F., Darsono S.N.A.C., Hermawan D.T., Yudhi W.A.S., Rahman F.F., 2019. Awareness and knowledge assessment of sustainable development goals among university students. Journal Ekonomi & Studi Pembangunan 20: 163–175. DOI 10.18196/jesp.20.2.5022.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jensen E., Buckley N., 2014. Why people attend science festivals: Interests, motivations and self-reported benefits of public engagement. Public Understanding of Science 23(5): 557–557. DOI 10.1177/0963662512458624.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jia F., Sorgente A., Yu H., 2022. Parental participation in the environment: Scale validation across parental role, income, and region. Frontiers in Psychology 13: 788306. DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.788306.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Johnson K.A., Dana G., Jordan N.R., Draeger K.J., Kapuscinski A., Olabisi L.K.S., Reich P.B., 2012. Using Participatory Scenarios to Stimulate Social Learning for Collaborative Sustainable Development. Ecology and Society 17(2). Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/26269034.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kennedy E.B., Jensen E.A., Verbeke M., 2018. Preaching to the scientifically converted: Evaluating inclusivity in science festival audiences. International Journal of Science Education, Part B 8(1): 14–21. DOI 10.1080/21548455.2017.1371356.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Krause K.L., Coates H., 2008. Students' engagement in first-year university. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education 33: 493–505. DOI 10.1080/02602930701698892.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kriewaldt J., Lee S.J., 2022. Towards powerful knowledge: An Australian case study of prospective teachers' knowledge and dispositions for sustainability education. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education 32(1): 35–52. DOI 10.1080/10382046.2022.2146836.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kristjanson P., Harvey B., Van Epp M., Thornton P.K., 2014. Social learning and sustainable development. Nature Climate Change 4: 5–7. DOI 10.1038/nclimate2080.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lambrechts W., Mulà I., Ceulemans K., Molderez I., Gaeremynck V., 2013. The integration of competences for sustainable development in higher education: An analysis of bachelor programs in management. Journal of Cleaner Production 48: 65–73. DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.12.034.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Leal Filho W., Skanavis C., Kounani A., Brandli L.L., Shiel C., do Paço A., Pace P., Mifsud M., Beynaghi A., Price E., Lange Salvia A., Will M., Shula K., 2019. The role of planning in implementing sustainable development in a higher education context. Journal of Cleaner Production V 235: 678–687. DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.322.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Leal Filho W., Trevisan L.V., Dinis M.A.P., Ulmer N., Paço A., Borsari B., Sierra J., Salvia A., 2024. Fostering students' participation in the implementation of the sustainable development goals at higher education institutions. Discover Sustainability 5(22). DOI 10.1007/s43621-024-00204-7.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Leiva-Brondo M., Lajara-Camilleri N., Vidal-Meló A., Atarés A., Lull C., 2022. Spanish university students' awareness and perception of sustainable development goals and sustainability literacy. Sustainability 14(8): 4552. DOI 10.3390/su14084552.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Liu S.C., 2024. Exploring and narrating futures in under-graduate climate change education: An innovative teaching approach. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 25(9): 419–436. DOI 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2023-0336.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lozano R., Barreiro-Gen M., Lozano F.J., Sammalisto K., 2019. Teaching sustainability in European higher education institutions: Assessing the connections between competences and pedagogical approaches. Sustainability 11(6): 1602. DOI 10.3390/su11061602.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lučić A., Uzelac M., 2024. Sustainable household capability of young adults: Role of parental norms. Heliyon 10: e29219. DOI 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29219.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Maude A., 2018. Geography and powerful knowledge: A contribution to the debate. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education 27(2): 179–190. DOI 10.1080/10382046.2017.1320899.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Meadows M.E., 2020. Geography education for sustainable development. Geography and Sustainability 1(1): 88–92. DOI 10.1016/j.geosus.2020.02.001.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Miller, R., 2018. Transforming the future anticipation in the 21st century. UNESCO Publishing/Routledge Paris/New York.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mochizuki Y., Fadeeva Z., 2010. Competences for sustainable development and sustainability Significance and challenges for ESD. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 11(4): 391–403. DOI 10.1108/14676371011077603.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nielsen K., Gathings M.J., Peterman K., 2019. New, not different: Data-driven perspectives on science festival audiences. Science Communication 41(2): 254–264. DOI 10.1177/1075547019832312.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nnamani C.N., Dikko H.G., Kinta L.M., 2014. Impact of students' financial strength on their academic performance: Kaduna Polytechnic experience. African Research Review 8(1): 83–98. DOI 10.4314/afrrev.v8i1.7.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Norazlan N., Yusuf S., Al-Majdhoub F.M.H., 2020. The financial problems and academic performance among public university students in Malaysia. The Asian Journal of Professional & Business Studies 1(2). DOI 10.61688/ajpbs.v1i2.52.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Núñez M.E., Siddiqui M.K., Abbas A., 2024. Motivation, attitude, knowledge, and engagement towards the development of sustainability competencies among students of higher education: A predictive study. Discover Sustainability 5(335). DOI 10.1007/s43621-024-00556-0.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
O'Connor R.A., Roberson T., de Castella C., Leviston Z., 2023. The value of public science events: Insights from three years of communicating climate change research. Journal of Science Communication 22(05): 1–17. DOI 10.22323/2.22050805.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ostravská univerzita, 2025. Strategie udržitelnosti a zelené transformace Ostravské univerzity. Online Available at: <https://dokumenty.osu.cz/rektorat/dz/suz-tou-2025-2030.pdf> (accessed 20 April 2025).
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Piotrowska I., Cichoń M., Sypniewski J., Abramowicz D., 2022. Application of inquiry-based science education, anticipatory learning strategy and project-based learning strategies in the context of environmental problems of the contemporary world. In: de la Vega A.G. (ed.), Didactic strategies and resources for innovative geography teaching, IGI GLOBAL. 23–50. DOI 10.4018/978-1-7998-9598-5.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rawlinson K.E., Duckett C., Shaw H., Woodroofe M.N., Lacey M., 2021. Family-focused campus-based university event increases perceived knowledge, science capital and aspirations across a wide demographic. International Journal of Science Education, Part B 11: 273–291. DOI 10.1080/21548455.2021.1971319.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Redman A., Wiek A., Barth M., 2021. Current practice of assessing students' sustainability competencies: A review of tools. Sustainability 16(1): 117–135. DOI 10.1007/s11625-020-00855-1.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rieß W., Mischo C., Waltner E.M., 2018. Ziele einer Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung in Schule und Hochschule: Auf dem Weg zu empirisch überprüfbaren Kompetenzen. GAIA – Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 27(3): 298–305. DOI 10.14512/gaia.27.3.10.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Saetre P.J., 2016. Education for sustainable development in Norwegian geography curricula. Nordidactica – Journal of Humanities and Social Science Education 1: 63–78.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sargisson R.J., de Groot J., Steg L., 2020. The relationship between sociodemographics and environmental values across seven European countries. Frontiers in Psychology 11: 2253. DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02253.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sipos Y., Battisti B., Grimm K., 2008. Achieving transformative sustainability learning: Engaging head, hands and heart. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 9: 68–86. DOI 10.1108/14676370810842193.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sleurs W., 2008. Competencies for ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) teachers. Available at: https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/esd/inf.meeting.docs/EGC/CSCT_Handbook_11_01_08.pdf.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Solís-Espallargas C., Ruiz Morales J., Valderrama-Hernández R., Alcántara-Rubio L., 2023. Systematic review of sustainable development goals in higher education institutions: First five years of agenda 2030. Pedagogika 152(4): 79–110. DOI 10.15823/p.2023.152.5.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Toma R.B., Ortiz-Revilla J., Greca I.M., 2024. Development and validation of a multiple-choice test for sustainability competence in primary school using the GreenComp framework. International Journal of Educational Research Open 7: 100388. DOI 10.1016/j.ijedro.2024.100388.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tuncer G., 2008. University students' perception on sustainable development: A case study from Turkey. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education 17(3): 212–226. DOI 10.1080/10382040802168297.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
UNESCO., 2017. Education for sustainable development goals: Learning objectives. UNESCO Publishing. Paris. 66 p. DOI 10.54675/CGBA9153.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wals A.E.J., 2010. Mirroring, Gestaltswitching and transformative social learning. Stepping stones for developing sustainability competence. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 11(4): 380–390. DOI 10.1108/14676371011077595.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wiek A., Withycombe L., Redman C.L., 2011. Key competencies in sustainability: A reference framework for academic program development. Sustainability Science 6: 203–218. DOI 10.1007/s11625-011-0132-6.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Yli-Panula E., Jeronen E., Lemmetty P., 2020. Teaching and learning methods in geography promoting sustainability. Education Sciences 10(1): 5. DOI 10.3390/educsci10010005.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zamora-Polo F., Sánchez-Martín J., Corrales-Serrano M., Espejo-Antúnez L., 2019. What do university students know about sustainable development goals? A realistic approach to the reception of this UN program amongst the youth population. Sustainability 11(13): 3533. DOI 10.3390/su11133533.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zwolińska K., Lorenc S., Pomykała R., 2022. Sustainable development in education from students' perspective – implementation of sustainable development in curricula. Sustainability 14: 3398. DOI 10.3390/su14063398.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Authors

Metrics

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14746/quageo-2026-0035 | Journal eISSN: 2081-6383 | Journal ISSN: 2082-2103 (formerly 0137-477X)

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Submitted on: Jul 4, 2025

Published on: Sep 30, 2026

Published by: Adam Mickiewicz University

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

academic environment,

future thinking,

geographical education,

learning conditions,

sustainability competences,

sustainable development goals

Related subjects:

Geosciences,

Geography

© 2026 Małgorzata Cichoń, Vít Kašpar, Barbara Baarová, published by Adam Mickiewicz University
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

AHEAD OF PRINT