Introduction to the Conceptualisation of Environmental Citizenship for Twenty-First-Century Education

Abstract Environmental Citizenship has been an influential concept in many different arenas. Education and especially environmental discourses in science education have a lot to contribute in adopting and promoting Environmental Citizenship. Τhe roots of Environmental Citizenship derived from the political science arena are examined in this chapter. In addition, the conceptualisation of Environmental Citizenship in educational context is discussed. Furthermore, the relevance of Environmental Citizenship in types of education such as science education (SE), environmental education (EE), Education for Sustainability (EfS) and citizenship education (CE) is explored. Each type of education has something important to contribute to Environmental Citizenship through its specific approaches, dimensions and practices. In addition, the European Network for Environmental Citizenship (ENEC) as a community of practice is presented as well as the main definitions regarding Environmental Citizenship (EC), Education for Environmental Citizenship (EEC) and Environmental Citizen (ECn). Finally, the main focus of each part and chapter of the book will be summarised.