Searching for a sea change, one drip at a time: education for sustainable development in Denmark

This chapter begins with a brief history of ESD in Danish schools. With a firmly established tradition for a multi–dimensional and action–oriented approach to environmental education, Denmark was well placed to take a leading role in adopting the principles of the UN Decade of ESD. However, the 2009 adoption of a national strategy for the Decade can be considered too little, too late. Despite the apparent political lethargy, there are more encouraging signs of local initiatives at the practice level. Three such cases are presented here. While by no means representative, these cases can be considered examples of promising practices, suggesting three very different approaches to and perspectives on ESD in Danish schools. The three cases also clearly demonstrate many of the challenges in introducing ESD in schools–challenges which must be tackled if ESD in Denmark is to go beyond a few largely isolated local initiatives and enter mainstream teaching, curricula and educational policy.