1
Chapter 1
Introduction to the Conceptualisation
of Environmental Citizenship
for Twenty- First- Century Education
Andreas Ch. Hadjichambis and Pedro Reis
1.1 Introducing Environmental Citizenship
The EU’s growth strategy (Europe 2020) and the European vision for green, circular
and low-carbon economy in line with the EU 2050 (EU-roadmap 2050) give particular attention to citizens’ participation and engagement and therefore to
Environmental Citizenship. Environmental Citizenship has been an influential concept in many different arenas such as economy, policy, philosophy, corporation
management and marketing, which could also be better exploited and established in
the field of education. Environmental Citizenship is recognized as an important
aspect in addressing global environmental problems such as climate change (Stern
2011; Ockwell et al. 2009) whilst providing support to pro-environmental organisations and individuals, contributing also to public pressure for political action (signing petitions, writing to politicians and newspapers). Many varied definitions of
Environmental Citizenship can be found within the literature. Some of them are
quite similar, and important overlaps can be observed; however, others can be quite
different with contradictions in their philosophy and approach. According to Dobson
(2010), Environmental Citizenship refers to pro-environmental behaviour, in public
and in private, driven by a belief in fairness of the distribution of environmental
goods, in participation and in the co-creation of sustainability policy. It is about the
active participation of citizens in moving towards sustainability.
A. Ch. Hadjichambis (*)
Cyprus Centre for Environmental Research and Education, CYCERE, Lemesos, Cyprus
Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture, Nicosia, Cyprus
e-mail: a.chadjihambi@cytanet.com.cy
P. Reis
Instituto de Educação – Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, Lisboa, Portugal
e-mail: preis@ie.ulisboa.pt
© The Author(s) 2020
A. Ch. Hadjichambis et al. (eds.), Conceptualizing Environmental Citizenship
for 21st Century Education, Environmental Discourses in Science Education 4,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20249-1_1
Chapter 1
Introduction to the Conceptualisation
of Environmental Citizenship
for Twenty- First- Century Education
Andreas Ch. Hadjichambis and Pedro Reis
1.1 Introducing Environmental Citizenship
The EU’s growth strategy (Europe 2020) and the European vision for green, circular
and low-carbon economy in line with the EU 2050 (EU-roadmap 2050) give particular attention to citizens’ participation and engagement and therefore to
Environmental Citizenship. Environmental Citizenship has been an influential concept in many different arenas such as economy, policy, philosophy, corporation
management and marketing, which could also be better exploited and established in
the field of education. Environmental Citizenship is recognized as an important
aspect in addressing global environmental problems such as climate change (Stern
2011; Ockwell et al. 2009) whilst providing support to pro-environmental organisations and individuals, contributing also to public pressure for political action (signing petitions, writing to politicians and newspapers). Many varied definitions of
Environmental Citizenship can be found within the literature. Some of them are
quite similar, and important overlaps can be observed; however, others can be quite
different with contradictions in their philosophy and approach. According to Dobson
(2010), Environmental Citizenship refers to pro-environmental behaviour, in public
and in private, driven by a belief in fairness of the distribution of environmental
goods, in participation and in the co-creation of sustainability policy. It is about the
active participation of citizens in moving towards sustainability.
A. Ch. Hadjichambis (*)
Cyprus Centre for Environmental Research and Education, CYCERE, Lemesos, Cyprus
Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture, Nicosia, Cyprus
e-mail: a.chadjihambi@cytanet.com.cy
P. Reis
Instituto de Educação – Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, Lisboa, Portugal
e-mail: preis@ie.ulisboa.pt
© The Author(s) 2020
A. Ch. Hadjichambis et al. (eds.), Conceptualizing Environmental Citizenship
for 21st Century Education, Environmental Discourses in Science Education 4,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20249-1_1