The European sustainability
competence framework
GreenComp consists of four “areas” of competence that correspond to the definition of sustainability, and 12 “competencies” that together form the elements of sustainability competence for all people
Learn more about the principles of the GreenComp European Sustainability Competency Framework
GreenComp consists of 12 competencies divided into 4 areas*:
Area
Competence
Descriptor
1.1 Valuing sustainability
To reflect on personal values; identify and explain how values vary among people and over time, while critically evaluating how they align with sustainability values
1. Embodying sustainability
values
1.2 Supporting fairness
To support equity and justice for current and future generations and learn from previous generations for sustainability
1.3 Promoting nature
To acknowledge that humans are part of nature; and to respect the needs and rights of other species and of nature itself in order to restore and regenerate healthy and resilient ecosystems
2.1 Systems thinking
To approach a sustainability problem from all sides; to consider time, space and context in order
to understand how elements interact within and between systems
2. Embracing complexity in sustainability
2.2 Critical thinking
To assess information and arguments, identify assumptions, challenge the status quo, and reflect on how personal, social and cultural backgrounds influence thinking and conclusions
2.3 Problem framing
To formulate current or potential challenges as a sustainability problem in terms of difficulty, people involved, time and geographical scope, in order to
identify suitable approaches to anticipating and preventing problems, and to mitigating and adapting to already existing problems
3.1 Futures literacy
To envision alternative sustainable futures by imagining and developing alternative scenarios and identifying the steps needed to achieve a preferred sustainable future
3. Envisioning sustainable futures
3.2 Adaptability
To manage transitions and challenges in complex sustainability situations and make decisions related to the future in the face of uncertainty, ambiguity and risk
3.3 Exploratory thinking
To adopt a relational way of thinking by exploring and linking different disciplines, using creativity and experimentation with novel ideas or methods
4.1 Political agency
To navigate the political system, identify political responsibility and accountability for unsustainable behaviour, and demand effective policies for sustainability
4. Acting for sustainability
4.2 Collective action
To act for change in collaboration with others
4.3 Individual initiative
To identify own potential for sustainability and to actively contribute to improving prospects for the community and the plane
*The content used on the site comes from: Bianchi, G., Pisiotis, U., Cabrera Giraldez, M. GreenComp – Europejskie ramy kompetencji w zakresie zrównoważonego rozwoju. Bacigalupo, M., Punie, Y. (red.), EUR 30955 PL, Urząd Publikacji Unii Europejskiej, Luksemburg, 2022; ISBN 978-92-76-53198-2,
doi:10.2760/182235, JRC128040