Abstract
The outcome of the recent COP19 in Warsaw was unfortunately a good example of weak political leadership. It conveyed a clear message that the way the world is governed has to be changed. Non-governmental sectors are required to take proactive and collective action to address global challenge in order to avoid catastrophe due to rapid climate change and/or ecosystem degradation. Among the various sectors, an emerging trend is the need for businesses to take a leading role as instigators of change and providers of solutions involving all stakeholders across the value-chain. In this context, a new type of environmental education is needed, and this will work well if it takes into account the following two considerations, which are based on the new global trend mentioned above. Firstly, as collective action and partnership between all stakeholders are critical, all citizens should become capable of being proactive as a matter of responsibility. For this purpose, formal education at school is the best approach, and should be enhanced by expansion as a core element in the curriculum. Secondly, business people should become sufficiently strategic and capable to bring about innovative solutions for sustainability, and therefore they need to be well trained. In this connection, new initiatives for sustainability education in the creation of business leaders have started at universities and business schools both at home and abroad, and are still at the formative stage. Although focus should be placed on these two types of education, they should not be considered different entities. Improved cooperation and network-building among all the concerned parties are critical. In conclusion, sustainability should be mainstreamed and embedded firmly into the decision-making of all stakeholders. Special emphasis should be placed on education for business, and the business sector should also engage in environmental education.
