Following the launch of three UNESCO guidance tools in September 2026, UNESCO has published a new policy paper, Whole-institution approaches towards sustainability, as part of its Transforming Futures: Enhancing practice for ESD for 2030 through action research project.

The policy paper builds on the work undertaken to strengthen Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) across education institutions and systems. It highlights the importance of connecting teaching and learning with governance, operations, institutional culture and community engagement, supported by enabling policies and institutional leadership.

The UNESCO Chair at 91��ɫ contributed to this work through the development of the whole-institution approach (WIA) guidance tool and the policy paper, both co-authored by Katrin Kohl and Charles Hopkins, together with Isabel Toman and Hilligje van’t Land of the International Association of Universities.

These sets of guidance and policy on the three trending themes - competencies, pedagogies, and WIAs - strengthening the connection between research, institutional practice and education policy.

Read the new publications:

 What role should higher education play in shaping climate action and democratic futures beyond 2030?

The UNESCO Greening Education Partnership launches its Higher Education Dialogue Series with a �Dz���democratic values, trust and responsibility.

As the global community begins shaping the post-2030 agenda, this conversation explores how universities can strengthen democratic engagement, advance climate action and contribute to more sustainable societies.

 22 October 2026 | 7:30 am EDT | Online

Find all the news and events to stay up to date in the field of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), a crucial education concept to transform societies and recognized as an integral element of quality education as well as a key enabler for achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Check out the October 2026 issue and for future editions – ESD essentials and events in one email per month!

Missed a newsletter and want to go back? Please find the past editions of the monthly UNESCO Chair newsletter in our archive.

A new NORRAG blog by Katrin Kohl, Co-Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, and Julia Heiss, Chief of UNESCO’s Section for Education for Sustainable Development, explores what ESD should retain, rethink and newly embrace beyond 2030.

Drawing on the recent foresight process and Global Expert Symposium in Munich, the authors reflect on the future direction of ESD, including stronger connections between learning, collective action, institutions and wider systems.

On 17 September 2026, UNESCO will launch three new guidance tools developed through the Transforming futures: Enhancing practice for ESD for 2030 through action research project.

The UNESCO Chair team contributed to Driving sustainability in education through a whole-institution approach, co-authored by Charles Hopkins, Katrin Kohl, Isabel Toman and Hilligje van’t Land. The guidance draws on action research with 41 institutions across ten countries and supports educational institutions in embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) across learning, operations, decision-making and community engagement.

UNESCO will also launch guidance on pedagogies and competencies for sustainability and assessing learning in ESD.

Find all the news and events to stay up to date in the field of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), a crucial education concept to transform societies and recognized as an integral element of quality education as well as a key enabler for achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Check out the September 2026 issue and for future editions – ESD essentials and events in one email per month!

Missed a newsletter and want to go back? Please find the past editions of the monthly UNESCO Chair newsletter in our archive.

How can education systems better respond to today’s sustainability challenges? 

Discover possible answers at the launch of the Transforming futures: Enhancing practice for ESD for 2030 through action research publications on 17 September 2026, 1pm CET | 7am EST. 

This will present three new guidance tools developed through action research across ten countries and 41 institutions: Driving sustainability in education through a whole-institution approach, enhancing pedagogy, and competencies for sustainability, and assessing learning in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

We will also explore key lessons from the project and discuss how these tools can support the wider scaling of ESD.

United Nations Academic Impact has published a new feature on the second Global Higher Education Symposium (GHES II), held at UN Headquarters on . The symposium launched Building Sustainable Futures: A Consensus Statement on the Unique Position of Higher Education in the Pursuit of Solutions, developed through a year-long collaborative process and global consultation.

The UNESCO Chair at 91��ɫ was among the convening partners, with Co-Chairholder Katrin Kohl drafting and moderating the presentation of the Consensus Statement. The Statement is supported by a number of UN(-related) stakeholders concerned with higher education and calls for higher education to strengthen its contribution to sustainable development, the SDGs and discussions on the post-2030 agenda.

A new global consensus statement on the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development was launched during the second Global Higher Education Symposium at United Nations Headquarters in New 91��ɫ on 13 July 2026.

The initiative was developed and advanced by the UNESCO Chair at 91��ɫ, which helped bring together leading international partners and guide a global consultation process. The final statement reflects a shared commitment to strengthen the contribution of higher education to societal transformation, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the post-2030 agenda. It provides a common foundation for continued collaboration, policy dialogue, and action across institutions, networks, and regions.

Special thanks to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO for the financial support, which enabled UNESCO Co-Chair Katrin Kohl to travel to New 91��ɫ.