CO3

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last several decades, habitat loss, the overexploitation of natural resources, and pollution have led to catastrophic decreases in biodiversity ¹. Sustainability represents the maximal achievement using the minimumfrom environmental, social, and economic points of view, considering climatic responsiveness, efficiency, and the balance between the natural environment and artificial configurations ^2,3. Since the 1980s, together with the impulse of globalization, the debate on what citizenship is and how to educate for democratic citizenship has intensified, with the participation of universities, public institutions, and international organizations ⁴. In accordance with the current environmental situation, sustainable citizenship and education have become key elements to ensure the future of humanity, and they are essential to foster sustainability awareness, critical participation, and socio-environmental improvement.

Connected with the importance of sustainable citizenship participation and sustainable education, the United Nations published The Sustainable Development Goals ⁵, which include aspects such as Quality Education (Goal 4), Sustainable Cities and Communities (Goal 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (Goal 12), Climate Action (Goal 13), and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (Goal 16). Regarding this, education has become a fundamental means for transformation of the economy and society around the welfare of citizens, the sustainability of human activities, and the stability of the environment.

The scope of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for researchers to share their innovative work, in the form of conceptual and research articles, about the role of education in fostering sustainable commitment, sustainable participation, and social and economic transformation, among other related issues. This special section will focus on (but is not limited to) the following topics:

• Sustainable citizenship education;
• Educational institutions and sustainable citizenship;
• Educational approaches and sustainable citizenship;
• Education for sustainable commitment;
• Education for sustainable participation;
• Sustainable education for social transformation;
• Sustainable cities and education;
• Sustainable communities and education;
• Education for responsible consumption;
• Education for climate action;
• Education for peace;
• Justice-oriented education.

Dr. Eloy López Meneses
Dr. Emilio José Delgado-Algarra
Dr. César Bernal-Bravo
Dr. Antonio Alejandro Lorca-Marín
Guest Editors