Relevant UK policies

Non-statistical indicator

Education in the United Kingdom is devolved, and so there is some variance in the approach to Education for Sustainable Development. We have identified relevant links to official curriculums –

England

There is no statutory requirement for Sustainable Development Education in the English National Curriculum. However, Sustainable Development education forms part of a range of subjects in the National Curriculum. There are also a number of government funded programmes that schools and pupils can choose to participate in to enhance their learning of sustainable development.

Northern Ireland

Education For Sustainable Development is part of the required minimum content for Key Stage 3.

Scotland

Learning for Sustainability is a cross-curricular approach, that weaves together global citizenship, sustainable development education and outdoor learning.

Wales

Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship provides learners, at all stages of education, an understanding of the broad themes of Sustainable Development.

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from UK statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from UK statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other UK-specific metadata information.

Indicator available

Relevant UK policies
Indicator description
Geographical coverage
Unit of measurement
Definitions
Available disaggregations
Calculations
Other information

Data follows the UN specification for this indicator. This indicator has been identified in collaboration with topic experts.
Data last updated 29 April 2019
Metadata last updated 06 December 2021

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator name

Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
Target name

By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
Global indicator description
UN designated tier

Tier II
UN custodian agency

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - Institute for Statistics (UNESCO-UIS)
Link to UN metadata United Nations Sustainable Development Goals metadata for target 12.8 opens in a new window
Back to top