European Sustainability Competence Framework (GreenComp)

The European Sustainability Competence Framework (GreenComp) is a reference framework developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre as part of the European Green Deal to promote learning for environmental sustainability across education and training systems. GreenComp responds to the growing need for citizens and professionals to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to live, work and act in a sustainable manner, supporting the transition towards a fairer, greener and climate-neutral society.
The framework defines sustainability as a competence composed of 12 interrelated competences organised into four areas: embodying sustainability values, embracing complexity in sustainability, envisioning sustainable futures, and acting for sustainability. These competences foster systems thinking, critical thinking, futures literacy, adaptability, individual initiative and collective action, enabling learners to become responsible and proactive agents of change within planetary boundaries.
GreenComp is designed as a non-prescriptive and transversal reference applicable to all learners, regardless of age, educational level or learning context (formal, non-formal and informal). It supports curriculum design, review and assessment, teacher education, policy development and lifelong learning initiatives. For VET teachers and trainers, GreenComp provides a common European language and conceptual basis to integrate sustainability competences across training programmes linked to the green transition.