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. 2025 Sep 5;5:203. Originally published 2025 Jul 29. [Version 2] doi: 10.12688/openreseurope.20927.2

Table 1. Complete set of forty GreenComp learning outcomes.

Competence
area
Competence Learning outcome KSA coverage
I. Sustainability
values
1.1 Valuing
sustainability
1. Critique sustainability arguments, policies, and actions by
analyzing their underlying values and principles, including
cultural and generational differences
1.1-K1, 1.1-K2, 1.1-K4,
1.1-S1, 1.1-S2, 1.1-A3,
1.1-A4
2. Negotiate solutions that reach a consensus aligned with
specific sustainability principles while respecting diverse
stakeholder perspectives
1.1-S4, 1.1-S5, 1.1-A2
3. Design and implement a personal action plan applying
concrete sustainability principles to daily choices
1.1-K3, 1.1-K6, 1.1-S3,
1.1-A1
4. Analyze how consumption drivers impact resource
demand and environmental and social sustainability
1.1-K5, 1.1-S2
1.2 Supporting
fairness
1. Apply concepts of equity, environmental justice, and
intergenerational fairness when addressing various
sustainability challenges while questioning personal and
societal resource needs
1.2-K1, 1.2-K2, 1.2-S1,
1.2-S2, 1.2-A1
2. Construct inclusive solutions that respect diverse
cultural views and address varying capacities to promote
sustainability
1.2-K4, 1.2-S3, 1.2-S4
3. Advocate for the preservation of nature for current and
future generations
1.2-K3, 1.2-A2, 1.2-A3
1.3 Promoting
nature
1. Explain the interconnectedness between human well-
being and ecosystem health, including analyzing personal
impacts on natural systems
1.3-K1, 1.3-K2, 1.3-K3,
1.3-S1, 1.3-S5, 1.3-A4
2. Participate actively in specific practices that restore,
regenerate, and promote harmonious coexistence with
nature
1.3-S4, 1.3-A1, 1.3-S3,
1.3-A5
3. Value the rights and roles of other life forms in
maintaining ecological balance
1.3-K4, 1.3-S2, 1.3-A3
4. Explain models for decoupling economic activity from
resource consumption
1.3-K6
5. Analyze how resource depletion contributes to social
conflicts and environmental disasters
1.3-K5
6. Challenge anthropocentric perspectives in approaches to
environmental protection
1.3-A2
II. Embracing
complexity
2.1 Systems
thinking
1. Analyze how human activities across domains impact
environmental and societal systems
2.1-K1, 2.1-K2, 2.1-S1,
2.1-S2, 2.1-A1, 2.1-A3
2. Map the interactions, feedback, and cascading effects
within complex sustainability issues
2.1-K4, 2.1-K5, 2.1-S3,
2.1-S5, 2.1-A2, 2.1-A4,
2.1-A5
3. Apply systems modeling, life cycle assessment techniques,
and resource minimization methods to sustainability
challenges
2.1-K3, 2.1-S4
2.2 Critical
thinking
1. Evaluate the reliability of sustainability information
sources and claims
2.2-K1, 2.2-K4, 2.2-S3,
2.2-S5, 2.2-A5
2. Deconstruct arguments to identify underlying
assumptions, biases, and contexts
2.2-K2, 2.2-K3, 2.2-K5,
2.2-S2, 2.2-A2
3. Formulate evidence-based perspectives on sustainability
issues that integrate diverse human and non-human
considerations
2.2-K1, 2.2-S1, 2.2-S4,
2.2-A1, 2.2-A3, 2.2-A4
2.3 Problem
framing
1. Differentiate between simple, complicated, and complex
sustainability problems
2.3-K1, 2.3-K2, 2.3-K4,
2.3-A2
2. Transform sustainability problem definitions by
systematically integrating diverse stakeholder viewpoints
and systems-level considerations
2.3-K3, 2.3-S1, 2.3-S2,
2.3-A4
3. Select appropriate strategies to mitigate, adapt, and solve
sustainability challenges
2.3-K5, 2.3-S3, 2.3-S4,
2.3-S5
III. Envisioning
sustainable
futures
3.1 Futures literacy 1. Create alternative scenario models that question current
paradigms and envision transformative sustainable futures
3.1-K1, 3.1-K5, 3.1-S1,
3.1-A4
2. Assess opportunities, risks, and implications of different
future scenarios
3.1-K4, 3.1-S2, 3.1-A3
3. Design a pathway with interventions toward a preferred
sustainable future
3.1-K2, 3.1-K3, 3.1-S3,
3.1-S4, 3.1-A1, 3.1-A2
3.2 Adaptability 1. Adapt personal practices in response to changing
sustainability contexts, constraints, and new information
3.2-K4, 3.2-S1, 3.2-S2,
3.2-A2, 3.2-A4
2. Make decisions by evaluating sustainability tradeoffs
across domains and scales
3.2-K5, 3.2-S3, 3.2-A5
3. Formulate adaptive strategies to manage socio-ecological
transitions necessitated by environmental and societal
changes
3.2-K1, 3.2-K2, 3.2-K3,
3.2-S3, 3.2-S4, 3.2-A1,
3.2-A3
3.3 Exploratory
thinking
1. Synthesize knowledge from various disciplines to
approach sustainability issues
3.3-K1, 3.3-K4, 3.3-S1,
3.3-S2, 3.3-S3
2. Experiment with innovative problem-solving methods,
such as systems thinking, to address sustainability
challenges
3.3-K2, 3.3-K3, 3.3-A1,
3.3-A4
3. Accommodate diverse perspectives when exploring
sustainable solutions
3.3-S5, 3.3-A2, 3.3-A3
IV. Acting for
sustainability
4.1 Political
agency
1. Analyze how political systems, policies, and power impact
sustainability
4.1-K1, 4.1-S1, 4.1-A4
2. Apply knowledge and skills for effective participation in
democratic processes to advance sustainability policies
4.1-K3, 4.1-S2, 4.1-S4,
4.1-A1
3. Advocate for political responsibility and sustainability
accountability
4.1-K2, 4.1-K4, 4.1-S3,
4.1-A2, 4.1-A3
4.2 Individual
initiative
1. Evaluate one’s potential to drive positive environmental
changes
4.2-K1, 4.2-K3, 4.2-K4,
4.2-K5, 4.2-S4, 4.2-S6,
4.2-A2, 4.2-A3, 4.2-A4,
2. Apply resource efficiency, reuse, and sharing principles in
personal and group contexts
4.2-S1, 4.2-S5, 4.2-A5
3. Apply the precautionary principle through targeted
actions that help prevent ecological and human harm
4.2-K2, 4.2-S2, 4.2-S3,
4.2-A1
4.3 Collective
action
1. Build diverse coalitions by identifying stakeholder
strengths and roles
4.3-K1, 4.3-S1, 4.3-S5
2. Facilitate, initiate, or actively participate in inclusive
community processes for coordinated sustainability action
4.3-K2, 4.3-K3, 4.3-K4,
4.3-S2, 4.3-S3, 4.3-S4,
4.3-A2, 4.3-A5
3. Connect personal sustainability actions to the collective
implementation of explicitly defined sustainability visions
4.3-S6, 4.3-A1, 4.3-A3,
4.3-A4