The UNESCO learning city of Hamburg, GermanyMaking lifelong learning for sustainable development a reality for all
A green city committed to lifelong learning
Inducted into the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) in 2019, Hamburg is not only Germany’s second-largest city, with approximately 1.8 million inhabitants, but also one of the country’s greenest cities.
It is home to 190 renewable energy companies and its many research facilities make it a European hub for sustainability research.
At the same time, Hamburg has made lifelong learning a priority to provide all inhabitants with the knowledge and skills to contribute to sustainable development.
It is home to 190 renewable energy companies and its many research facilities make it a European hub for sustainability research.
At the same time, Hamburg has made lifelong learning a priority to provide all inhabitants with the knowledge and skills to contribute to sustainable development.
An early adopter of Education for Sustainable Development
As early as 2006, the city was the first German state to publish its own action plan illustrating the wide range of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) projects being carried out in Hamburg.
Dedicated players in the fields of formal, non-formal, and informal learning impart skills, knowledge, experience and attitudes conducive to a sustainable lifestyle and a culture of democratic participation. A special certification scheme ensures the quality of Education for Sustainable Development provided by extracurricular educators.
Dedicated players in the fields of formal, non-formal, and informal learning impart skills, knowledge, experience and attitudes conducive to a sustainable lifestyle and a culture of democratic participation. A special certification scheme ensures the quality of Education for Sustainable Development provided by extracurricular educators.
Local initiatives, committed citizens
The city promotes education for sustainable development through hundreds of initiatives, cultivating partnerships with numerous associations and institutions, and with Hamburg’s authorities.
Hamburg’s large-scale initiative, ‘Hamburg is learning sustainably’ comprises more than 200 diverse projects, initiatives and green events, tackling climate change through ESD.
Learn more about some of them!
Hamburg’s large-scale initiative, ‘Hamburg is learning sustainably’ comprises more than 200 diverse projects, initiatives and green events, tackling climate change through ESD.
Learn more about some of them!
Environmental education for young and old at Gut Karlshöhe
The environmental centre Gut Karlshöhe is a place of learning and experience, where young and old can learn how to ‘simply live well’ within the framework of natural resources. In around 1,000 events per year, Gut Karlshöhe deals with topics like climate and energy, nature and animals, well-being, consumption, crafts and do-it-yourself.
While groups of children and families explore the farm estate’s 9-hectare grounds or the adventure exhibition, companies hold climate-friendly meetings here and spend a day in nature with their employees. At least three times a year, young and old meet around the courtyard for a festival or ecological market and enjoy a sustainable way of life.
Learn more at https://gut-karlshoehe.de/ (German)
While groups of children and families explore the farm estate’s 9-hectare grounds or the adventure exhibition, companies hold climate-friendly meetings here and spend a day in nature with their employees. At least three times a year, young and old meet around the courtyard for a festival or ecological market and enjoy a sustainable way of life.
Learn more at https://gut-karlshoehe.de/ (German)
Scaling climate action
The Hamburg Climate Scale shows consumers how to save CO2 in everyday behaviour and points out climate-friendly alternatives. Climate-damaging and climate-friendly behaviour in the areas of nutrition, mobility and consumption are compared in a playful way. The city lends the scale to all interested stakeholders for use at information stands, for introducing or deepening the topic of climate protection in seminars, teaching units and workshops.
Learning for our planetAmelie Paassen, Volunteer at the Hamburg Environment Ministry
A Master Plan to guide action until 2030
In June 2021, the city’s Senate approved the ‘Hamburg Master Plan: Education for Sustainable Development 2030’ – a milestone demonstrating the renewed commitment of the UNESCO Learning City to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Master Plan was developed through a participatory process with all relevant stakeholders in the city – various ministries, educators, learners, civil society organizations, and many more.
Approximately 100 activities are included in the Master Plan for the time period from 2021 until 2030. A steering board will be responsible for the realization of activities and communications throughout the city.
A dedicated budget of 1.1 Million euros, provided by the city administration, will enable implementation of the Master Plan during the first two years.
The Master Plan was developed through a participatory process with all relevant stakeholders in the city – various ministries, educators, learners, civil society organizations, and many more.
Approximately 100 activities are included in the Master Plan for the time period from 2021 until 2030. A steering board will be responsible for the realization of activities and communications throughout the city.
A dedicated budget of 1.1 Million euros, provided by the city administration, will enable implementation of the Master Plan during the first two years.
Jens KerstanHamburg's Environment Minister
Monitoring progress is essential
To stay on track, it is essential to know where things stand.Together with the Free University of Berlin, the UNESCO learning city of Hamburg hence developed a self-assessment tool for monitoring Education for Sustainable Development. 20 questions around policy development, structures and participation, quality of ESD, capacity-building, and cooperation guide the user to the final result on where the city stands with regard to ESD implementation.
Joining forces with fellow UNESCO learning cities
The UNESCO learning city of Hamburg has already made great strides towards lifelong learning for sustainable development for all. As co-coordinator of the Global Network of Learning Cities ESD cluster group, involving over 100 cities dedicated to the topic, it provides excellent examples of how to promote sustainable development in learning throughout life.
We look forward to further powerful action as Hamburg and the entire UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities progress towards achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
We look forward to further powerful action as Hamburg and the entire UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities progress towards achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities!
Learning cities are key drivers towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They promote good policy and practice, and foster sustainable development at various levels.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in member cities by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and good practice, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing tools and instruments to design, implement and monitor learning cities strategies.
UNESCO learning city of Hamburg
ESD Masterplan of the city of Hamburg (German)
Download the ESD self-assessment tool by Hamburg city
http://uil.unesco.org/lifelong-learning/learning-cities/become-member
Photos courtesy of © Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg, Gut Karlshoehe (Klemens Vogel), Hamburg Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in member cities by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and good practice, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing tools and instruments to design, implement and monitor learning cities strategies.
UNESCO learning city of Hamburg
ESD Masterplan of the city of Hamburg (German)
Download the ESD self-assessment tool by Hamburg city
http://uil.unesco.org/lifelong-learning/learning-cities/become-member
Photos courtesy of © Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg, Gut Karlshoehe (Klemens Vogel), Hamburg Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture
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The UNESCO learning city of Hamburg, Germany
A green city committed to lifelong learning
An early adopter of Education for Sustainable Development
Local initiatives, committed citizens
Environmental education for young and old at Gut Karlshöhe
Scaling climate action
Learning for our planet
A Master Plan to guide action until 2030
Jens Kerstan
Monitoring progress is essential
Joining forces with fellow UNESCO learning cities
Join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities!