Ecoliteracy and environmental citizenship: a systematic review of the literature in basic and secondary education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18041/1900-3803/entramado.2.12782

Keywords:

Ecoliteracy, Sustainability, Interdisciplinarity, Green School

Abstract

The planet faces increasingly complex environmental challenges, creating an urgent need to educate citizens who are aware of their relationship with the environment. In this context, ecoliteracy emerges as a transformative educational approach that promotes understanding of ecosystems and their interactions. This study presents a systematic literature review with the objectives of: (1) identifying and categorizing educational strategies used to develop ecoliteracy in primary and secondary students; (2) analyzing pedagogical approaches in ecological education aimed at sustainable development; and (3) examining the influence of cultural contexts on environmental competencies. Using the PRISMA methodology, 199 scientific articles published between 2014 and 2024 in the Scopus and Web of Science databases were analyzed. The results show that most studies were conducted in the United States, highlighting interdisciplinary strategies and the use of emerging technologies to foster ecological awareness. In addition, the findings emphasize the importance of adapting ecoliteracy to cultural diversity and the need for more rigorous evaluation. Thus, this study contributes to the field as it provides an updated systematization of practices and proposes inclusive and contextualized educational models. The findings have implications for curriculum design, teacher training, and public policy. It is suggested to advance toward intercultural approaches adapted to the socio-territorial realities of Latin America.

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Author Biographies

  • María-D Quintero-Losada, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia - Colombia 

    PhD Candidate in Education and Environmental Culture. Researcher at Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia. 

  • Neils Antonino Martínez-Hernández , Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia - Colombia

    PhD Candidate in Education and Environmental Culture. Researcher at Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia

  • Yois Pascuas-Rengifo, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia - Colombia

    PhD in Education and Environmental Culture. Professor and researcher at Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia

  • Paola Julie Aguilar-Cruz, Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia - Colombia

    PhD Candidate in Education and Environmental Culture. Professor and Researcher at Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia. English Teacher at I.E. Jorge Eliécer Gaitán.

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2025-07-10

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