Barriers to the integration of sustainability in the Spanish university curricula

Abstract

A growing concern for sustainability has extended to the higher education sector resulting in institutional statements, specific actions with the goal of reducing the environmental impact, or communication policies aimed at lecturers and students. However, the slow pace by which the institutions operating in this sector are adapting their curricula is frustrating, even more so, when considering the hope towards education and its ability for sensitizing and educating the future leaders of our society. The obstacles hindering the introduction of sustainability in the university curricula have thus become a matter of research. This article presents an investigation on: a) obstacles to curricular sustainability perceived by teachers and b) relationship between teacher training and awareness (attitudes and self-perception of competence for sustainability).