Across Europe, schools are increasingly being recognised as key spaces for advancing sustainability. As part of this trend, PPMI | Part of the Verian Group recently completed an EU-wide study, commissioned by the European Commission’s DG EAC, on how school learning environments can contribute to climate goals, student well-being, and educational innovation
The study explored how school design, infrastructure, and daily practices can be aligned with sustainability objectives. It examined national and institutional approaches across all EU Member States, to develop case studies, policy recommendations, a compendium of good practice examples, and a practical toolkit to support schools and policymakers in transforming their spaces.
What is a sustainable learning space?
Learning environments for sustainability support “teaching and learning for sustainability by encouraging engagement and connection with others as well as the environment and by inspiring hope and new visions or possibilities for a sustainable future” (Tilbury, 2023). Such environments:
1. are sustainable, by following environmental and bioclimatic principles (e.g. by integrating green infrastructure solutions that capture carbon and improve air quality);
2. follow interventions for high-quality educational facility (e.g. paying attention to lighting, noise and accessibility); and
3. implement the whole-school approach to learning for sustainability across teaching, operations and management.
Schools play a crucial role as environments where lessons on sustainability are not only taught, but can be vividly experienced. Schools, as physical spaces where students spend a significant portion of their lives, should serve as tangible examples of sustainable practices, allowing students to see and live the principles they learn. By integrating sustainable development into the design of the school building, the surroundings, daily activities and teaching practices, schools can inspire students to embrace and champion a more sustainable future.
Key components of learning environments for sustainability
Source: PPMI (inspired by Barrett et al., 2017; Mathie and Wals, 2022; BREEAM, n.d.; Green Building Consultation and Engineering, n.d.)
Key findings
The research revealed both promising practices and pressing challenges:
- Sustainability and well-being are interconnected. Schools with green spaces, access to natural light, and healthy indoor environments improve physical and mental health, reduce anxiety, and foster everyday resilience. At the same time, they cultivate a stronger sense of care and responsibility towards the environment.
- The learning environment shapes how students learn. Classrooms designed with natural light, clean air, good acoustics, and flexible layouts contribute to higher concentration, stronger learning outcomes, and greater inclusion. Nature-based outdoor spaces, such as gardens or schoolyards, can serve as “living laboratories” for hands-on sustainability education.
- Pedagogical use matters. Physical improvements alone are not enough. When schools integrate sustainability into teaching and governance, students develop critical thinking, agency, and sustainability competences. For example, monitoring energy use or managing a school garden can become part of STEM or citizenship education.
- However, sustainability often remains disconnected from teaching. While many schools invest in green roofs, renewable energy systems, or rainwater harvesting, these features are rarely integrated into everyday lessons. For example, schools with rainwater collection systems sometimes never use them as hands-on teaching tools in science or sustainability education.
- Student involvement is a game-changer. When schools invite students to co-design and care for their spaces, the benefits multiply. Co-created gardens, outdoor classrooms, or biodiversity projects don’t just make the grounds greener — they improve student engagement, ownership, and even concentration in lessons.
- Policy frameworks and financing options matter. Some countries are advancing regulations that link energy efficiency with broader well-being and inclusiveness goals, while others lag behind. More coherent policies can help schools move from one-off projects to long-term, systemic change. Funding schemes are especially crucial to spurt change. For example, successful renovations show that schools can achieve energy savings of more than 60%, freeing up resources for teaching and learning.
GRG7 Kandlgasse school in Vienna, Austria has integrated greenery into its building, including the green wall pictured. (Source: Case studies on learning environments for sustainability)
Combining innovative pedagogies with spatial innovation
Sustainable and healthy school buildings only achieve their full potential when linked to teaching and learning practices. Spaces such as gardens, green roofs, or flexible classrooms become powerful learning tools when actively integrated into pedagogy. Without this connection, spatial innovations risk being underused.
Innovative pedagogies like project-based learning, outdoor education, and whole-school approaches thrive in environments designed for flexibility, interaction, and hands-on experience. Tools such as energy dashboards or climate sensors can further turn everyday school operations into “real-world” learning opportunities.
Key actions for schools and policymakers include:
- Designing flexible, adaptable spaces that support collaboration and creativity.
- Using nature-based features (gardens, green roofs, green walls) as “living labs” for sustainability learning.
- Integrating digital tools (e.g. energy or waste tracking systems) into teaching.
- Providing professional development for teachers to confidently use new spaces and pedagogies.
When pedagogy and space evolve together, schools can connect sustainability with better learning outcomes and well-being.
The Keplero High School in Rome, Italy, engaged the students to create the Zome – built from natural materials, the structure is used for outdoor teaching activities and for projects involving small groups of students. (Source: Case studies on learning environments for sustainability)
Looking ahead
Schools are uniquely placed to lead by example in the transition to sustainability. As public buildings and centres of community life, they can demonstrate how climate resilience, health, and learning can be combined in practice.
You can find the outputs of the study here:
