Integrating ESG Principles into Environmental Education: Opportunities and Challenges in the MENA Region

Abstract

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region grapples with pressing environmental challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and climate change. However, within these challenges lies the potential for sustainable development. A paradigm shift in environmental education for sustainable development is imperative to address these issues effectively. Environmental education plays a crucial role in instilling resilience in the face of climate change and natural disasters that increasingly impact the region. Redefining EE through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) can act as a catalyst for positive change. Integrating ESG principles into education empowers citizens not only to understand environmental issues but also to lead sustainable lives and contribute to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Accessibility to environmental education should be universal, transcending gender, socioeconomic status, and geographical location. Leveraging technology and digital platforms can significantly enhance the reach and impact of environmental education. Methodologically, this article employs a conventional literature review approach, conducting a desktop research to comprehensively examine the existing body of publications related to environmental education for sustainable development in the MENA region. The review explores current environmental educational approaches applied to achieve sustainable development in the MENA region. Subsequently, it introduces alternative approaches that leverage ESG principles consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to redefine the current status quo. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in environmental education in the MENA region through the integration of ESG principles into the curriculum, promotion of collaborative governance and inclusivity, the region can nurture a new path of environmentally conscious citizens poised to contribute to sustainable development.