Innovation & Education

Advancing knowledge generation and lifelong learning for sustainability

Classroom of people

Building more sustainable societies relies fundamentally on fostering creative, innovative solutions and empowering individuals through education. UNU-IAS accelerates knowledge generation and lifelong learning for a sustainability transformation through policy-oriented research, capacity development and partnerships. Focusing on education for sustainable development (ESD), we advance the global ESD for 2030 Agenda to engage learners of all ages in achieving the SDGs, harnessing innovative technology to reach the marginalized. In doing so, UNU-IAS mobilizes global and regional networks, including the Regional Centres of Expertise on ESD (RCEs) and the higher education alliance Promotion of Sustainability in Postgraduate Education and Research Network (ProSPER.Net).

News

News

Inclusive Use of AI in Research and Higher Education

UNU-IAS experts contributed to key discussions at the UNU Macau AI Conference 2025 on building an equitable digital future.

31 Oct 2025

News

Session Highlights How Learning Can Drive Climate Action

UNU-IAS held an online session of the Climate Classroom @COP30 exploring how meaningful learning can be a catalyst for climate action.

13 Nov 2025

AI and Sustainability Podcast Art

AI and Sustainability Podcast

How is AI helping universities manage their operations? Tune in to the latest episode to hear expert insights.
Listen now

Publications

Book

Learning, Collaborating and Transforming: The 20-Year Journey of the Global RCE Network

This book marks the 20th anniversary of the Global RCE Network through stories, insights and analyses from RCE initiatives worldwide.

27 Nov 2025

Brief

Integrating Data to Ensure Inclusive Education for Climate-displaced Populations

Insights and recommendations on utilizing data to minimize learning disruptions in the context of climate change.

21 Feb 2025

Report

Design and Implementation of a Net-Zero Youth Capacity Building Programme: Case of Thailand

Guidance on developing effective capacity building programmes empowering youth to engage in climate action.

20 Mar 2024

StandardPattern-INWEH

Learning for a Sustainable Future: RCE Stories of Action-Oriented Pedagogy

Insights on how action-oriented education enables learners to create solutions to pressing sustainability challenges.
Download the book

Projects

Project

Education for Sustainable Development - RCEs and ProSPER.Net

The aim of this project is to generate, accelerate and mainstream Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

27 Nov 2020

Project

Enhancing Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Safeguarding and Transmission Using ICT in Luang Prabang

This project aims to enhance the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in the World Heritage Site town of Luang Prabang, in Lao PDR.

13 Jan 2022

Project

K-Eco Global Net-Zero Partnership (K-GNP)

This project aims to develop research-based capacity building modules for effective implementation and governance of the Paris Agreement.

17 May 2022

Project

Regional Research on Climate Change Displacement and the Right to Education

The aim of this project is to establish understanding of climate change displacement across the Asia Pacific region to inform policy recommendations.

13 Jan 2022