Within the framework of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, four case studies of the degree in Primary Education at three Spanish universities are analyzed. The aim is to study the suitability of three different active teaching-learning strategies: problem-based learning (PBL), project-oriented learning (POL), and a cross-disciplinary workshop. Another goal is to promote the integration of education for sustainable development (ESD) and measure the level of acquisition of several competencies of sustainability and the change in consumption habits of future teachers after implementing those pedagogical approaches. Initial and final ecological footprint (EF) as well as a rubric to measure the level of acquisition of competencies of sustainability were used as data collection instruments. The conclusions related to the research objectives show that when sustainability is implemented in the curriculum through active teaching-learning strategies, future teachers acquire competencies of sustainability. They also reveal that said strategies contribute to a change in consumption habits as a reduction in the EF is observed. There exists a relation between EF reduction and high levels of acquisition of competency in sustainability.

This work forms part of the R + D + i ‘Training project in Spanish universities for professionals as agents of change in order meet the challenges facing society’ (Educación e Innovación Social para la Sostenibilidad (EDINSOST) 2017–2019). The purpose is to analyse the presence of sustainability in terms of curriculum content and training in competence for students, teachers and the curricula of Science of Education degree courses at the University of Seville. In this context, the curricula of the Degree in Early Childhood Education, Primary Education and Pedagogy have been analysed. Two questionnaires have been drawn up, and four reflection groups have been created—in which, a total of 49 teachers and 170 students have participated. The results show that there is a low presence of sustainability in Science of Education degree courses. The teachers express the opinion that they are engaged in sustainable initiatives and have an interest in ethical models. The students express a high degree of interest in receiving sustainability training. Findings provide information for introducing innovation into the university curriculum and the training of teachers and students in order to improve their competency in sustainability.

The work is carried out in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goal 13 Climate Action with prospective primary school teachers. The study presented is part of the science education subject at the University of Seville (Spain) during the 2019–2020 academic year. This research has two main goals, on the one hand, to present an innovative educational experience (design and implementation) for teacher training, on the other hand, to assess the educational implication of the experience from the prospective primary school teachers’ self-perception about their level of sustainability competences achieved. The novel educational experience consisted in the inquiry of prior knowledge about climate change in primary school children for the design of a lesson plan. The degree of scope of the educational experience, in particular, the level of sustainability competences achieved was assessed from the self-perception of the participants (Prospective Primary school Teachers) through a Likert-type questionnaire. The results show an improvement in the degree of acquisition of these competences, not only from their self-perception, but also from the investigative process followed through this innovative experience. Likewise, these results indicate the success of the educational proposal as a possible educational strategy for the sustainability of the curriculum in the field of science education.

La educación para la sostenibilidad en la formación de profesorado. ¿Qué estamos haciendo?

Teachers play a key role in the construction of a more equal, fairer and sustainable world. Incorporating education for sustainable consumption into teacher training should therefore be a priority. This education should aim to develop students’ awareness of environmental issues, to encourage lifestyle changes, and to promote reducing their personal ecological footprint (EF). Training processes will hence lead to active learning approaches promoting critical thinking about production and consumption patterns, linking the curriculum content to real life, and involving students in activities that reduce their EF. This paper presents research carried out at three Spanish faculties of education. The main goal is to analyse the relationship between active teaching and learning strategies, and the reduction of the students’ individual EF. Pre- and post-test questionnaires were used to collect data. A total of 93 primary education degree students took part in this study. The results show the students’ individual EF decreased at the end of the learning processes. This proves that active teaching and learning strategies can foster sustainable consumption habits, and more sustainable lifestyles in general, in student teachers.

Resumen: Históricamente los pueblos han desarrollado numerosos conocimientos útiles para la vida, saberes funcionales adaptados al territorio, compartidos y valorados por una comunidad. Su aplicación y transmisión son especialmente relevantes en la mejora de nuestra calidad de vida y la gestión los recursos naturales de una manera sostenible, especialmente en condiciones cambiantes e inciertas. Presentamos un estudio con enfoque de género e intergeneracional sobre la transmisión de Conocimientos tradicionales en la región de Andalucía Oriental en el que participaron mayores de Centros de Participación Activa y jóvenes universitarios. Cuestiones sobre práctica, origen y traspaso de Conocimientos tradicionales, así como sobre su componente sostenible han sido el centro de interés de esta investigación. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que las mujeres mayores son las principales practicantes, transmisoras y receptoras de estos conocimientos, especialmente los relacionados con la salud y los cuidados. Los datos revelan la existencia de una brecha generacional en cuanto a su práctica. El fin último de este trabajo se centra en proponer claves para fomentar la práctica y transmisión de los Conocimientos tradicionales sostenibles en programas de educación ambiental con enfoque de género. Historically, people have developed many useful knowledge for life, functional knowledge adapted to the territory, shared and valued by a community. Its application and transmission are especially relevant to improve our quality of life and managing natural resources in a sustainable way, especially in changing and uncertain conditions. We present a study with a gender and intergenerational approach on the transmission of Traditional knowledges in the region of Eastern Andalusia, in which elderly people from Active Participation Centers and young university students participated. Questions about practice, origin and transfer of Traditional knowledge as well as its sustainable component have been the focus of this investigation. The results show that elder women are the main practitioners, transmitters and recipients of this Knowledge, especially those related to health and care. The data reveal the existence of a generation gap in terms of its practice. The last objective will be to propose keys to promote the practice and transmission of Traditional knowledge in environmental education and gender.