Ireland Higher Education Authority (HEA) Launches Framework for Whole Institution Approach to ESD in Higher Education

The Higher Education Authority (HEA), the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and Minister James Lawless TD have launched Ireland’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Framework for Higher Education, providing a national roadmap to embed sustainability across teaching, research, campus operations, governance, and community engagement. 

The framework supports higher education institutions in integrating environmental, social, economic, and cultural dimensions of sustainable development into all aspects of institutional life, moving beyond standalone sustainability initiatives towards a whole-institution approach. Aligned with Ireland’s ESD to 2030 Strategy, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and UNESCO’s vision for Education for Sustainable Development, the framework encourages institutions to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequality, and responsible resource use. The framework also establishes a common structure for collaboration, self-assessment, and continuous improvement, helping Ireland’s higher education sector strengthen its contribution to a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive society while supporting national and international sustainability commitments.

Explore the framework and its features here

Also join the HEA in an information webinar on this framework on 10 September, 2026. Learn more and register here.