Sustainable development has three dimensions: economic, social and environmental. Economic growth is necessary, but not sufficient for development. It is widely known that high quality sustainable education is the key factor for all sustainable development goals. The issue of preserving and sustainably using the environment as a lever for development is gradually being integrated into development policies. The need for new skills is being met by implementing new educational models for the effective acquisition of sustainability competencies, which is crucial for the progress of global sustainable development. Interest in education for sustainable development (ESD) has increased after the proclamation of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2014 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Green transition considers the vulnerability of the environment regarding the effects of human activities, and education through the implementation of new educational models for the effective acquisition of sustainability competencies, assuming responsibility, and a holistic approach can stimulate the development of new models focused on sustainability. The green transition is also supported by digital transition, and artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to drive sustainable development towards the achievement of sustainable development (SDG) goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) emphasizes the importance of raising awareness of protecting the planet, and ESD is widely promoted as a key strategy for fostering pro-environmental behavior and strategic human resource development towards a holistic transformation towards sustainability.

This scientific review provides an analysis how is education related to sustainable development. The hypothesis is that sustainable development is closely and unequivocally related to education and that education is indispensable for sustainable development in general. Authors provide an overview of recent literature using keywords such as education for sustainable development, environmental, economic and social sustainability in order to address up to date issues related to the topic and considering the 2030 Agenda and UNFCCC, discussing weaknesses and strengths, as well as challenges and trends, giving their contribution in terms of recommendations and guidelines.

Keywords: Education for sustainable development, environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, social sustainability