In the EU, household emissions vary widely, ranging from 4-50 tons of CO2-equivalent annually (Ivanova et al., 2020). The global effort to halve per capita food waste and losses by 2030 is severely off track, with an average annual waste of 120 kg per person. Fossil fuel subsidies saw a significant increase, nearly doubling from 2020 to 2021 due to global crises. Responsible consumption and production are crucial to recover from the pandemic and accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainability and climate action are key political priorities of the EU. The EU GREEN DEAL and EU CLIMATE PACT recognize the critical role of education, including Adult Learning, in empowering parents, and the broader society about changes required for a transition towards a climate-neutral economy and society. The 2023 Council Conclusions on the Green Transition are concerned with improving learners’ knowledge in the areas of sustainability, climate change, and the environment. The EU Green Comp emphasizes critical thinking, initiative, and knowledge of the environmental effect of daily acts as crucial competencies for the green transition. Moreover, in 2020, the EC launched the NEW EUROPEAN BAUHAUS with the ambition to help make the Green Deal a cultural, human-centered positive and tangible experience, and calls on all Europeans to build together a sustainable and inclusive future.