Why no sustainable development goals? A review of education beyond the SDGs

Résumé

This article synthesises a lecture by Dr. Helen Kopnina critiquing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and current Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The central thesis argues that the SDGs' commitment to inclusive economic growth is inherently contradictory and anthropocentric, failing to address the root causes of ecological crises. The article examines evidence of this crisis, such as the decline in wild mammal biomass, linking it to consumption patterns driven by a growth-oriented economy. It argues for a fundamental shift away from the SDG framework towards alternative models like post-growth and degrowth, emphasizing the need to prioritize regeneration and refusal over recycling within circular economy approaches. The article concludes by advocating a return to the principles of 1970s environmental education, which confronted planetary limits and fostered genuine eco-literacy, as a more effective path towards a sustainable future for all species.