This Bridging Knowledge and Action: Enhancing Critical Thinking through ESD in Economics Subject at Adiwiyata Schools
Abstract
This study investigates the integration of sustainable development principles into the high school economics curriculum and its impact on students’ understanding of economic-sustainability interconnections. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative methods, classroom observations, teacher interviews, and student interviews, with quantitative methods using questionnaires about understanding ESD students. These tools assess the effectiveness of ESD implementation by evaluating changes in students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour toward sustainable economic practices. The findings reveal successful implementation of ESD within the curriculum, with positive and significant outcomes in the learning process. Integrating sustainability principles in economics education improves students ' comprehension of the relationship between economic activities and sustainability while also enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This approach prepares students to tackle real-world economic and environmental challenges, contributing to Indonesia's broader effort toward sustainable development
References
Journal Article
Berglund, T., Gericke, N., & Chang Rundgren, S. N. (2014). The implementation of education for sustainable development in Sweden: investigating the sustainability consciousness among upper secondary students. Research in Science and Technological Education, 32(3), 318–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2014.944493
Desfandi, M. (2015). Mewujudkan masyarakat berkarakter peduli lingkungan melalui program adiwiyata. SOSIO DIDAKTIKA: Social Science Education Journal, 2(1), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.15408/sd.v2i1.1661
Ekamilasari, E., & , Anna Permanasari, I. D. P. (2021). Critical thinking skills and sustainability awareness for the implementation of education for sustainable development. Journal of Science Education Research Journal, 2021(1), 46–53.
Ghiara, V. (2020). Disambiguating the Role of Paradigms in Mixed Methods Research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 14(1), 11–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689818819928
Gusti, U. A., Hidayat, T., Sriyati, S., & Artikel, R. (2024). Profil Pembelajaran Keanekaragaman Hayati di Sman 3 Bandung Profile of Biodiversity Learning At Sman 3 Bandung Informasi Artikel Abstract. 03(01), 47–65.
Indahri, Y. (2020). Pengembangan Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup melalui Program Adiwiyata (Studi di Kota Surabaya). Aspirasi: Jurnal Masalah-Masalah Sosial, 11(2), 121–134. https://doi.org/10.46807/aspirasi.v11i2.1742
Kardoyo, Setiaji, K., Nurkhin, A., Nasikh, Murniawaty, I., Sakitri, W., & Tusyanah. (2024). Integrating Sustainability into Economics Teacher Education. Proceedings of the International Conference of Economics Business and Economics Education Science (ICE-BEES-24), January. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-522-5_31
Kodir, A., Syaifulloh, M., Indari Monassa, I., Sumarmi, S., & Zubaidah, S. (2022). Environmental Education at Adiwiyata Schools and the Conservation of the Brantas Watershed in Indonesia. KnE Social Sciences, 2022, 301–306. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v7i16.12175
Kusumaningrum, M. E., Kuswanto, H., Jumadi, Suyanto, S., Suhartini, Purwasih, D., & Prabawati, R. (2023). A Bibliometric Review of Research on Education for Sustainable Development, 2019-2023. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 16(1), 75–88. https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2023.315
Leicht, A., Julia, H., & Byun, W. J. (2018). Issues and trends in education for sustainable development. UNESCO PUBLISHING. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.54675/YELO2332
Lutfianis, J. A., Chandra Wijaya, A. F., & Purwanto, P. (2020). Application Of Problem Based Learning Model Using Education For Sustainable Development Context In Improving Critical Thingking Ability For Junior High School Students At Heat Theory. Dinamika Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 12(2), 98. https://doi.org/10.30595/dinamika.v12i2.6354
Maulina, D., Hikmawati, A., & Marpaung, R. R. T. (2023). The Effect of Implementing ESD in the PBL Model on Critical Thinking Ability in Environmental Pollution Material. Tadris: Jurnal Keguruan Dan Ilmu Tarbiyah, 8(2), 253. https://doi.org/10.24042/tadris.v8i2.18444
Maxwell, N. L., Bellisimo, Y., & Mergendoller, J. (2001). Problem-Based Learning: Modifying the Medical School Model for Teaching High School Economics. The Social Studies, 92(2), 73–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/00377990109603981
Novo-Corti, I., Badea, L., Tirca, D. M., & Aceleanu, M. I. (2018). A pilot study on education for sustainable development in the Romanian economic higher education. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 19(4), 817–838. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-05-2017-0057
Oe, H., Yamaoka, Y., & Ochiai, H. (2022). A Qualitative Assessment of Community Learning Initiatives for Environmental Awareness and Behaviour Change: Applying UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development(ESD) Framework. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063528
Pali, O., A. Rauf, B., & Amir, F. (2021). Dampak Penerapan Program Adiwiyata Terhadap Peningkatan Pengetahuan Siswa Dalam Pengetahuan Lingkungan Hidup. UNM Environmental Journals, 4(1), 01. https://doi.org/10.26858/uej.v4i1.20343
Prayogo, W., Ratnaningsih, W., Suhardono, S., & Suryawan, I. W. K. (2024). Environmental Education Practices in Indonesia: A Review. Journal of Sustainable Infrastructure, 3(1), 27–37. https://doi.org/10.61078/jsi.v3i1.27
Purnamasari, S., & Nurawaliyah, S. (2023). Studi Literatur: Penilaian Kompetensi Keberlanjutan dan Hasil Belajar Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Jurnal Pendidikan UNIGA, 17(1), 686. https://doi.org/10.52434/jpu.v17i1.2553
Rahmayanti, E., Hendayana, S., & Riandi, R. (2021). Project Based Learning in Pandemic Covid-19: The Implementation of ESD to Develop Students’ Critical Thinking Skills. Unnes Science Education Journal, 10(3), 137–144. https://doi.org/10.15294/usej.v10i3.46738
Salsabila, E. R., Wijaya, A. F. C., & Winarno, N. (2019). Improving Students’ Sustainability Awareness through Argument-driven Inquiry. Journal of Science Learning, 2(2), 58. https://doi.org/10.17509/jsl.v2i2.13104
Satrianawati, S., & Fu, W. H. (2019). Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Indonesia: A Conceptual Framework. International Journal of Education and Learning, 1(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.31763/ijele.v1i1.33
Sierra, J. (2020). The potential of simulations for developing multiple learning outcomes: The student perspective. International Journal of Management Education, 18(1), 100361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2019.100361
Sobari, E. F. D., Hernani, H., & Ramalis, T. R. (2022). Critical Thinking Skills and Sustainability Conciousness of Students for The Implementation Education for Sustainable Development. Journal of Science Education Research, 6(2), 75–80. https://doi.org/10.21831/jser.v6i2.52347
Stössel, J., Baumann, R., & Wegner, E. (2021). Predictors of student teachers’ esd implementation intention and their implications for improving teacher education. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169027
Suwarto, R. S., Sanjaya, Y., & Solihat, R. (2021). Implementation of education for sustainable development and pupils’ sustainability consciousness in Adiwiyata School and ESD-based school. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1806(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1806/1/012153
UNESCO. (2017a). Education for Sustainable Development Goals: learning objectives. In Education for Sustainable Development Goals: learning objectives (Issue March). https://doi.org/10.54675/cgba9153
UNESCO. (2017b). Education for Sustainable Development Goals: learning objectives. In Education for Sustainable Development Goals: learning objectives (Issue March). https://doi.org/10.54675/cgba9153
Book
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design (IV). SAGE Publications Inc.
Ennis, R. H. (1996). Critical Thinking (Illustrated). Prentice Hall, 1996.
Filho, W. L. (2009). Toward The Promotion of Education for Sustainability. Revista de Educacion, SPEC. ISSUE, 263–277.
Ismail, M. I., & Irhashih Ilyas, N. (2023). Metodelogi Penelitian Kualitatif dan Kuantitatif. Rajawali Press, Jakarta
Kusnendi, C. and A. (2023). Analisis Model Pengukuran dan Struktural Dalam Penelitian Manajemen Dan Bisnis. UPI Press.
Nation, U. (2015). “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.” A/RES/70/1.
Tilbury, D. (2011). Education for sustainable development: An expert review of processes and learning. Unesco, May, 132.
Wals, A. E. J., & Kieft, G. (n.d.). Sida Review 2010:13 Education for Sustainable Development Research Overview.
Berglund, T., Gericke, N., & Chang Rundgren, S. N. (2014). The implementation of education for sustainable development in Sweden: investigating the sustainability consciousness among upper secondary students. Research in Science and Technological Education, 32(3), 318–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2014.944493
Desfandi, M. (2015). Mewujudkan masyarakat berkarakter peduli lingkungan melalui program adiwiyata. SOSIO DIDAKTIKA: Social Science Education Journal, 2(1), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.15408/sd.v2i1.1661
Ekamilasari, E., & , Anna Permanasari, I. D. P. (2021). Critical thinking skills and sustainability awareness for the implementation of education for sustainable development. Journal of Science Education Research Journal, 2021(1), 46–53.
Ghiara, V. (2020). Disambiguating the Role of Paradigms in Mixed Methods Research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 14(1), 11–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689818819928
Gusti, U. A., Hidayat, T., Sriyati, S., & Artikel, R. (2024). Profil Pembelajaran Keanekaragaman Hayati di Sman 3 Bandung Profile of Biodiversity Learning At Sman 3 Bandung Informasi Artikel Abstract. 03(01), 47–65.
Indahri, Y. (2020). Pengembangan Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup melalui Program Adiwiyata (Studi di Kota Surabaya). Aspirasi: Jurnal Masalah-Masalah Sosial, 11(2), 121–134. https://doi.org/10.46807/aspirasi.v11i2.1742
Kardoyo, Setiaji, K., Nurkhin, A., Nasikh, Murniawaty, I., Sakitri, W., & Tusyanah. (2024). Integrating Sustainability into Economics Teacher Education. Proceedings of the International Conference of Economics Business and Economics Education Science (ICE-BEES-24), January. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-522-5_31
Kodir, A., Syaifulloh, M., Indari Monassa, I., Sumarmi, S., & Zubaidah, S. (2022). Environmental Education at Adiwiyata Schools and the Conservation of the Brantas Watershed in Indonesia. KnE Social Sciences, 2022, 301–306. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v7i16.12175
Kusumaningrum, M. E., Kuswanto, H., Jumadi, Suyanto, S., Suhartini, Purwasih, D., & Prabawati, R. (2023). A Bibliometric Review of Research on Education for Sustainable Development, 2019-2023. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 16(1), 75–88. https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2023.315
Leicht, A., Julia, H., & Byun, W. J. (2018). Issues and trends in education for sustainable development. UNESCO PUBLISHING. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.54675/YELO2332
Lutfianis, J. A., Chandra Wijaya, A. F., & Purwanto, P. (2020). Application Of Problem Based Learning Model Using Education For Sustainable Development Context In Improving Critical Thingking Ability For Junior High School Students At Heat Theory. Dinamika Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 12(2), 98. https://doi.org/10.30595/dinamika.v12i2.6354
Maulina, D., Hikmawati, A., & Marpaung, R. R. T. (2023). The Effect of Implementing ESD in the PBL Model on Critical Thinking Ability in Environmental Pollution Material. Tadris: Jurnal Keguruan Dan Ilmu Tarbiyah, 8(2), 253. https://doi.org/10.24042/tadris.v8i2.18444
Maxwell, N. L., Bellisimo, Y., & Mergendoller, J. (2001). Problem-Based Learning: Modifying the Medical School Model for Teaching High School Economics. The Social Studies, 92(2), 73–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/00377990109603981
Novo-Corti, I., Badea, L., Tirca, D. M., & Aceleanu, M. I. (2018). A pilot study on education for sustainable development in the Romanian economic higher education. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 19(4), 817–838. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-05-2017-0057
Oe, H., Yamaoka, Y., & Ochiai, H. (2022). A Qualitative Assessment of Community Learning Initiatives for Environmental Awareness and Behaviour Change: Applying UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development(ESD) Framework. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063528
Pali, O., A. Rauf, B., & Amir, F. (2021). Dampak Penerapan Program Adiwiyata Terhadap Peningkatan Pengetahuan Siswa Dalam Pengetahuan Lingkungan Hidup. UNM Environmental Journals, 4(1), 01. https://doi.org/10.26858/uej.v4i1.20343
Prayogo, W., Ratnaningsih, W., Suhardono, S., & Suryawan, I. W. K. (2024). Environmental Education Practices in Indonesia: A Review. Journal of Sustainable Infrastructure, 3(1), 27–37. https://doi.org/10.61078/jsi.v3i1.27
Purnamasari, S., & Nurawaliyah, S. (2023). Studi Literatur: Penilaian Kompetensi Keberlanjutan dan Hasil Belajar Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Jurnal Pendidikan UNIGA, 17(1), 686. https://doi.org/10.52434/jpu.v17i1.2553
Rahmayanti, E., Hendayana, S., & Riandi, R. (2021). Project Based Learning in Pandemic Covid-19: The Implementation of ESD to Develop Students’ Critical Thinking Skills. Unnes Science Education Journal, 10(3), 137–144. https://doi.org/10.15294/usej.v10i3.46738
Salsabila, E. R., Wijaya, A. F. C., & Winarno, N. (2019). Improving Students’ Sustainability Awareness through Argument-driven Inquiry. Journal of Science Learning, 2(2), 58. https://doi.org/10.17509/jsl.v2i2.13104
Satrianawati, S., & Fu, W. H. (2019). Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Indonesia: A Conceptual Framework. International Journal of Education and Learning, 1(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.31763/ijele.v1i1.33
Sierra, J. (2020). The potential of simulations for developing multiple learning outcomes: The student perspective. International Journal of Management Education, 18(1), 100361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2019.100361
Sobari, E. F. D., Hernani, H., & Ramalis, T. R. (2022). Critical Thinking Skills and Sustainability Conciousness of Students for The Implementation Education for Sustainable Development. Journal of Science Education Research, 6(2), 75–80. https://doi.org/10.21831/jser.v6i2.52347
Stössel, J., Baumann, R., & Wegner, E. (2021). Predictors of student teachers’ esd implementation intention and their implications for improving teacher education. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169027
Suwarto, R. S., Sanjaya, Y., & Solihat, R. (2021). Implementation of education for sustainable development and pupils’ sustainability consciousness in Adiwiyata School and ESD-based school. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1806(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1806/1/012153
UNESCO. (2017a). Education for Sustainable Development Goals: learning objectives. In Education for Sustainable Development Goals: learning objectives (Issue March). https://doi.org/10.54675/cgba9153
UNESCO. (2017b). Education for Sustainable Development Goals: learning objectives. In Education for Sustainable Development Goals: learning objectives (Issue March). https://doi.org/10.54675/cgba9153
Book
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design (IV). SAGE Publications Inc.
Ennis, R. H. (1996). Critical Thinking (Illustrated). Prentice Hall, 1996.
Filho, W. L. (2009). Toward The Promotion of Education for Sustainability. Revista de Educacion, SPEC. ISSUE, 263–277.
Ismail, M. I., & Irhashih Ilyas, N. (2023). Metodelogi Penelitian Kualitatif dan Kuantitatif. Rajawali Press, Jakarta
Kusnendi, C. and A. (2023). Analisis Model Pengukuran dan Struktural Dalam Penelitian Manajemen Dan Bisnis. UPI Press.
Nation, U. (2015). “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.” A/RES/70/1.
Tilbury, D. (2011). Education for sustainable development: An expert review of processes and learning. Unesco, May, 132.
Wals, A. E. J., & Kieft, G. (n.d.). Sida Review 2010:13 Education for Sustainable Development Research Overview.
Published
2026-09-23
How to Cite
NOFRIANSYAH, Nofriansyah; BAWADI, Titik Handayani.
This Bridging Knowledge and Action: Enhancing Critical Thinking through ESD in Economics Subject at Adiwiyata Schools.
Soedirman Economics Education Journal, [S.l.], v. 7, n. 2, p. 156-175, sep. 2026.
ISSN 2686-6277.
Available at: <https://jos.unsoed.ac.id/index.php/seej/article/view/22004>. Date accessed: 06 oct. 2026.
doi: https://doi.org/10.32424/seej.v7i2.22004.
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