GREENVERSITY CORE: Green Competencies Framework

The GREENVERSITY CORE is a transformative framework designed specifically for Higher Education to bridge the gap between sustainability theory and lecture-room practice. Adapted from the European Commission’s GreenComp reference model, our framework provides educators with a clear, taxonomised roadmap to embed a sustainability-driven mindset across any academic discipline.

Interactive Learning & Assessment
This interactive tool allows you to explore the four essential competence areas: Embodying Sustainability Values, Embracing Complexity in Sustainability, Envisioning Sustainable Futures, and Acting for Sustainability. Use the menus below to navigate through:

  • Specific Learning Objectives: Detailed breakdowns of the Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) required for each competence.
  • Three-Level Rubrics: Practical assessment descriptors — ranging from basic awareness to advanced integration — to help you evaluate student performance and align with course learning outcomes.

Whether you are a lecturer looking for practical tips for implementation or a curriculum designer seeking a standardised reference, the GREENVERSITY CORE is your gateway to fostering systemic thinking for a resilient future.

Embodying Sustainability Values

Knowledge Objective

To understand that sustainability is shaped by diverse and sometimes conflicting value systems, and can describe how worldviews, such as anthropocentric, technocentric and ecocentric, plus cultural, generational and socioeconomic factors influence sustainability perceptions and decisions, while recognising that inclusive engagement across all value systems is essential.

Level 0: Shows limited or fragmented understanding; may identify one or two influences (e.g., a worldview or cultural factor) without connecting them to sustainability in a meaningful way.

Level 1: Demonstrates a clear understanding that sustainability is value based and influenced by different worldviews and sociocultural contexts; can provide basic explanations and examples.

Level 2: Demonstrates a deep and integrated understanding of how multiple worldviews (e.g., anthropocentric, technocentric, ecocentric), cultural backgrounds, generations and socioeconomic positions shape sustainability perspectives; provides insightful examples and connections.

Skills Objective

To demonstrate the ability to critically assess, compare and deliberate on different sustainability values and principles, integrating these into personal and collective decisions and actions while recognising environmental impacts and diverse perspectives, and the importance of cooperating across differing worldviews rather than relying solely on one’s own values.

Level 0: Shows limited ability to identify or analyse sustainability values. May recognise environmental impact superficially but struggles to assess values or integrate them into decision-making or action. Considers few or no alternative perspectives.
 

Level 1: Can identify and compare sustainability values and principles in a clear and structured way. Recognises environmental impacts and demonstrates the ability to reflect on personal actions and decisions. Considers multiple perspectives with some depth. 

Level 2: Consistently and critically assesses, compares and deliberates on sustainability values in diverse contexts (e.g., actions, policies, arguments). Integrates these values into well-justified decisions and actions. Demonstrates strong awareness of environmental impacts and the ability to engage with diverse and conflicting perspectives constructively. 

Attitudes Objective

To demonstrate openness to critically reflect on personal values, respects diverse cultural perspectives and adopts a reflective, inclusive attitude grounded in sustainability principles.

Level 0: Shows limited openness to reflect on own values and their sustainability implications; engagement with diverse perspectives is superficial or reluctant. 
 

Level 1: Reflects on personal values with reasonable openness and shows respect for diverse cultural perspectives; demonstrates willingness to act according to sustainability principles. 

Level 2: Actively and thoughtfully scrutinises own values and their sustainability impacts; embraces and values cultural diversity critically and inclusively; consistently adopts a reflective, open and sustainability-centred attitude in decisions and actions. 

Knowledge Objective

To understand that environmental justice and fairness encompass both future generations and non-human entities, recognising the ethical principles and social inequalities intertwined with intergenerational responsibility in protecting nature and promoting sustainability. 

Level 0: Demonstrates a basic awareness of some of the core concepts, being able to recall some terms but having a limited understanding of the connections between them. 
 

Level 1: Shows a growing understanding of the interconnectedness of the concepts, identifying some relationships between environmental justice, future generations, non-human entities, ethical principles and social inequalities in the context of sustainability. 

Level 2: Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of how environmental justice and fairness extend to future generations and non-human entities, articulating the underlying ethical principles and the influence of social inequalities and understanding the crucial role of intergenerational responsibility in promoting sustainability. 

Skills Objective

To be able to apply principles of equity, justice and inclusiveness by engaging relevant stakeholders in sustainability efforts, managing resources sustainably, preserving the environment, promoting intercultural dialogue and building consensus for the benefit of present and future generations. 

Level 0: Shows limited or no active engagement with relevant stakeholders in sustainability discussions or initiatives and struggles to articulate how principles of equity, justice, and inclusiveness relate to environmental preservation, resource management, or intercultural dialogue. 
 

Level 1: Applies principles of equity, justice and inclusiveness in some contexts, demonstrating an understanding of their importance in environmental preservation, resource management and intercultural dialogue, contributing to discussions and proposing actions with some consideration for diverse perspectives. 

Level 2: Consistently integrates principles of equity, justice, and inclusiveness into strategies for environmental preservation, sustainable resource management and intercultural dialogue, ensuring benefits for present and future generations. He/she can skilfully build consensus, navigate diverse perspectives and promote inclusive practices in various sustainability contexts. 

Attitudes Objective

To demonstrate a personal commitment to fairness and democracy, cultivate a sense of belonging to a common humanity and solidarity with future generations, advocate for social justice and adopt an attitude of sobriety and intergenerational responsibility towards both humanity and the planet in the pursuit of equitable sustainability efforts. 

Level 0: Demonstrates limited understanding of fairness, democracy, social justice and sustainability, with minimal personal involvement or inconsistent actions. 
 

Level 1:Shows growing commitment by applying fairness, democratic values and sustainable practices in personal and group settings, with emerging global and future-oriented awareness. 

Level 2: Consistently demonstrates and advocates for fairness, social justice and intergenerational responsibility, taking initiative to inspire and engage others in sustainability efforts. 

Knowledge Objective

To acknowledge that humans are part of nature, understanding that human well-being, health and security are deeply interconnected with the well-being of ecosystems and other life forms, and recognising that respecting planetary boundaries and biodiversity is essential for a sustainable future and a flourishing planet.

Level 0: Demonstrates a limited understanding of the interconnectedness between humans and nature, as well as the concept of planetary boundaries.
 

Level 1: Can give an example of the intrinsic value of nature and humans’ dependence on the well-being of ecosystems. Can explain the concepts of biodiversity and planetary boundaries.

Level 2: Can analyse the interconnectedness between humans, nature and ecosystems. Can explain the major challenges related to planetary boundaries and can provide concrete examples of how biodiversity loss affects all living creatures on the planet.

Skills Objective

To be able to observe and assess the state of the environment and nature from the perspectives of both humans and other life forms and to propose ways to reduce the environmental impact of human activities and restore natural ecosystems. 

Level 0: Demonstrates limited skills in observing and assessing the state of the environment and nature and struggles to articulate how humans can reduce their environmental impact or contribute to the protection and restoration of nature. 
 

Level 1: Can observe and assess the state of the environment and nature in some contexts, contributing meaningfully to discussions. Can present some examples on how to reduce the environmental impact of activities from the perspectives of both humans and other life forms.

Level 2: Can demonstrate the perspectives of both humans and other life forms and can provide multiple concrete examples of how to observe, assess, and reduce the environmental impact of human activities, as well as how to protect and restore nature.

Attitudes Objective

To demonstrates a respectful, empathetic and responsible attitude toward all life forms, along with a sense of connectedness with nature that is grounded in a deep appreciation for and a commitment to protecting and restoring it for present and future generations.

Level 0: Demonstrates a limited commitment to building a respectful relationship with nature and appreciating all life forms. 
 

Level 1:Can engage in respectful and empathetic discussions about all life forms and so demonstrates a growing commitment to connectedness with nature.

Level 2: Can argue for a strong sense of responsibility toward all life forms and displays a clear willingness to protect and restore nature for present and future generations.

Embracing Complexity in Sustainability

Knowledge Objective

To understand that the world is an interconnected system where all actions have impacts across space and time and that consideration of these interconnections and impacts is critical for making good decisions.

Level 0: Knows the different dimensions of sustainability (e.g. ecological, social, economic and cultural) but shows limited or no knowledge of their interconnections or impacts on the future and to different areas of the world. 
 
Level 1: Knows the types of trade-offs and synergies between different dimensions of sustainability and possible impacts of (some types of) actions to the future and to other parts of the world. 

Level 2: Knows the key concepts of systems thinking and that systems thinking is a key tool and skill for making good sustainability decisions. 
 

 

Skills Objective

To be able to use systems thinking to analyse and describe the interdependencies between environmental, economic, social and cultural factors in sustainability issues and to identify and create possible developmental trajectories across space and time.

Level 0: Shows limited ability to analyse and describe interconnections between sustainability dimensions and the impacts of actions across space and time. 

Level 1: Can describe the interconnections between sustainability dimensions and the temporal and spatial impacts in general terms but is not able to use systems thinking concepts to discuss their dynamics. 

Level 2: Can describe and analyse interconnections between dimensions of sustainability and temporal and spatial dynamics using systems thinking concepts. 

Attitudes Objective

To demonstrate concern for the current and future well-being of both humans and non-human nature, recognising that both are parts of an interdependent system on the planet.

Level 0: Demonstrates only limited concern for well-being beyond immediate surroundings and near future. 

Level 1: Demonstrates some concern for more holistic well-being but struggles with applying it in practise.  

Level 2: Has internalised the idea of holistic well-being and does not see personal choices and actions that are in line with sustainability as sacrifices but as sources of meaning and fulfilment. 

Knowledge Objective

To understand the impact of dominant narratives in the evolution of sustainability discourse and the need to challenge individually and collectively the status quo through a critical approach.

Level 0: Is unaware of the influence of dominant narratives in the discourse on sustainability, does not question mainstream sources of information and has little critical perspective on the status quo. 
 

Level 1: Has some doubts about the reliability of the sources, believes that the social and cultural environment can sometimes affect the perception of the idea of sustainability and considers that the dominant view is not always correct. 

Level 2: Is utterly aware of the importance of the dominant discourse on sustainability and always assesses information with a critical eye by continually challenging the status quo. 

 
 

Skills Objective

To be able to assess and compare sustainability arguments and analyse information sources through evidence-based reasoning.

Level 0: Has little ability to understand the arguments supporting different approaches to sustainability and can barely distinguish between them and lacks critical thinking about different sources of information. 

Level 1: Can distinguish the different ideas behind each discourse on sustainability and the different sources of information, applying basic critical reasoning. 

Level 2: Can apply logical and critical reasoning when evaluating arguments about sustainability and identify reliable sources of information. 

Attitudes Objective

To be curious and inquisitive about sustainability issues, sceptical about own and others’ assumptions and willing to revise them their when new data arise.

Level 0: Is reluctant to reconsider his opinions on sustainability while accepting uncritically the discourse of unverified sources of information.

Level 1: Is quite willing to revise his views if the information changes and accepts that sustainability is not an immutable concept.   

Level 2: Is sceptical of unproven sources of information and arguments about sustainability and willing to change his/her mind when he/ she learns more or the facts change.

Knowledge Objective

To understand the complexity of sustainability problems, the need and difficulty of their framing and the importance of considering all the stakeholders’ perspectives.

Level 0: Believes that there are easy solutions to complex problems and that it is not strictly necessary to state different alternatives and perspectives on sustainability issues. 
 

Level 1: Knows that many variables must be considered when it comes to sustainability, but without clearly distinguishing the consequences of each of them. 

Level 2: Knows perfectly the complexity of the problems of sustainability, as well as the pros and cons of the different alternatives to be taken. 

 
 

Skills Objective

To be able to formulate several approaches from different perspectives to frame and potentially solve sustainability problems.

Level 0: Is unable to distinguish between what is important and what is urgent and is unwilling to be flexible when addressing sustainability issues. 

Level 1: Can list some of the challenges facing sustainability, although does not have a very structured view of the alternatives and possible solutions. 

Level 2: Can formulate current and future sustainability challenges, as well as identify and analyse different measures that anticipate and mitigate potential problems. 

Attitudes Objective

To approach sustainability as a very complex issue, trying to abstract from his/her own ideas by accepting and empathising with the views of others

Level 0: Tries to impose his/her point of view and does not give importance to the opinions of others, making this a personal matter, even in the face of the evidence of its complexity.

Level 1: Recognises that other views need to be considered when it comes to sustainability and is aware of the difficulty and necessity of framing problems to address solutions. 

Level 2: Is receptive to all opinions and encourages colleagues to express their own, showing empathy and creativity in approaching sustainability issues.

Envisioning Sustainable Futures

Knowledge Objective

To understand that the future is uncertain and shaped by human actions, distinguishing between different types of sustainability futures (expected, preferred, alternative), by recognising their short-, medium-, and long-term implications, and acknowledging how past and present developments influence future possibilities.

Level 0: Shows no understanding of different types of futures or scenario tools and cannot explain how human actions influence future sustainability outcomes.
 
Level 1: Can define basic types of futures (e.g., expected vs. preferred) and recognise that human actions impact the future but has limited understanding of foresight tools or timeline implications.
 
Level 2: Can clearly differentiate between various future scenarios, explain their temporal implications, describe how human actions shape them, and apply appropriate foresight tools and concepts.

Skills Objective

To envision, analyse, and evaluate alternative sustainable futures by combining evidence, creativity, and values, and to anticipate how present actions may influence future risks, opportunities, and outcomes.

Level 0: Is unable to construct or evaluate any future scenario and struggles to identify risks or opportunities in sustainability contexts.
 
Level 1: Can describe basic future scenarios and identify some risks or opportunities but lacks depth in analysis or application of foresight methods.
 
Level 2: Can independently create and evaluate well-founded future scenarios using foresight tools, clearly identifies and analyses risks and opportunities, and anticipates future impacts of present actions.

Attitudes Objective

To adopt a long-term and responsible mindset, showing curiosity, openness to diverse perspectives and commitment to shaping sustainable futures through thoughtful and creative action.

Level 0: Shows disinterested in long-term sustainability and avoids reflecting on the consequences of current actions.
 
Level 1: Acknowledges that actions impact the future and shows moderate concern but lacks sustained interest or openness to other perspectives.
 
Level 2: Consistently demonstrates a long-term, participatory and optimistic mindset, showing commitment to evaluating future impacts and openness to diverse inputs.

Knowledge Objective

To understand that human actions involve risks and have complex, uncertain impacts on socio-ecological systems, and to recognise the need for adaptive actions shaped by environmental, social, cultural and emotional factors.

Level 0: Does not show understanding of the importance of adaptability – the ability to change behaviours and systems – for sustainability
 
Level 1: Acknowledges the importance of adaptability – the ability to change behaviours and systems – for sustainability but struggles with the uncertainty and ambiguity inherently associated with decision making.
 
Level 2: Understands the importance of adaptability – the ability to change behaviours and systems – for sustainability and is comfortable with the idea that decisions should be deliberated and taken despite future being uncertain.

Skills Objective

To adapt actions and decisions to changing sustainability contexts by navigating uncertainty with flexibility, resilience and sensitivity to local and global conditions.

Level 0: Resists change and fails to adjust actions or strategies in uncertain sustainability situations.
 
Level 1: Can make basic adjustments to behaviour or strategies but struggles to manage ambiguity or apply adaptive tools effectively.
 
Level 2: Effectively adapts behaviours and strategies to dynamic sustainability challenges, demonstrates emotional resilience and applies iterative and flexible thinking to reduce environmental impact.

Attitudes Objective

To show openness, resilience and emotional awareness when facing sustainability challenges, with a willingness to change unsustainable practices and learn continuously in uncertain situations.

Level 0: Resists change, avoids discomfort and demonstrates little concern for the emotional or practical challenges of sustainability.
 
Level 1: Shows awareness of sustainability challenges and some openness to change but hesitates to act when it involves personal discomfort or uncertainty.
 
Level 2: Embraces change with flexibility and emotional maturity, is willing to revise unsustainable behaviours and demonstrates a resilient, learning-focused mindset when navigating sustainability issues.

Knowledge Objective

To understand that sustainability challenges require creative and interdisciplinary thinking and that imagining diverse future possibilities is essential for collective action and innovation. 

Level 0: Shows very limited understanding of the range of possible futures.
 
Level 1: Shows some understanding of the range of possible futures, but struggles with appreciating the power of imagination and diversity of sources for imagination.
 
Level 2: Knows that future can be influenced collectively, and that drawing from different disciplines and traditions is important for broadening the range of imaginaries about possible futures.

Skills Objective

To be able to combine diverse knowledge to address sustainability challenges through innovation, synthesis and openness to multiple perspectives.

Level 0: Does not demonstrate the ability to combine knowledge from different disciplines; lacks innovation, synthesis and/or openness to diverse perspectives in addressing sustainability challenges.
 
Level 1: Shows some ability to combine knowledge and consider different perspectives, but synthesis and innovation remain partial or inconsistent when addressing sustainability challenges. 
 
Level 2: Successfully combines diverse disciplinary knowledge with innovation and synthesis, demonstrating openness to multiple perspectives in effectively addressing sustainability challenges. 

Attitudes Objective

To be able to embrace creativity and experimentation to tackle sustainability challenges with resilience and openness to failure.

Level 0: Does not demonstrate creativity or willingness to experiment; avoids risk-taking and shows limited resilience and/or openness to failure when facing sustainability challenges. 
 
Level 1: Shows some creativity and a basic willingness to experiment but struggles with resilience or learning from failure when tackling sustainability challenges.
 
Level 2: Fully embraces creativity and experimentation, demonstrates resilience and views failure as a learning opportunity when addressing sustainability challenges. 

Acting for Sustainability

Knowledge Objective

To understand political and governance systems and frameworks guiding sustainability and social change.

Level 0: Does not demonstrate understanding of political or governance systems; unable to identify key actors or frameworks related to sustainability and social change. 
 
Level 1: Shows a basic understanding of political and governance systems and can identify some relevant actors or frameworks but the analysis remains superficial or incomplete. 
 
Level 2: Demonstrates a clear understanding of how political and governance systems function, accurately identifies key actors and frameworks and connects them to sustainability and social change. 

Skills Objective

To be able to identify relevant social, political and economic stakeholders to address sustainability issues and know how to engage with them.

Level 0: Shows limited ability to identify relevant social, political and economic stakeholders to address sustainability issues and does not know how to engage with them.
 
Level 1: Can identify some relevant social, political and economic stakeholders to address sustainability issues, but shows limited ability to analyse their power structures and to engage with them.
 
Level 2: Can identify relevant social, political and economic stakeholders to address sustainability issues and to analyse their power relations and has skills to engage with them.

Attitudes Objective

To show willingness in driving sustainability through civic and political action, policy critique, and promotion of accountability and the common good.

Level 0: Shows no clear commitment to sustainability-related civic or political action; does not engage in policy critique or promote accountability and the common good. 
 
Level 1: Demonstrates some willingness to engage in sustainability efforts through civic or political means but shows limited initiative in policy critique or in promoting accountability and collective well-being.
 
Level 2: Shows active commitment to advancing sustainability through civic and political engagement, thoughtfully critiques policy effectiveness, and promotes accountability and the common good.

Knowledge Objective

To understand that engaging in collaborative action and enabling cooperation among diverse actors is fundamental for sustainability.

Level 0: Does not show understanding of the importance of engaging in collaborative action and enabling cooperation among diverse actors as fundamental for sustainability.
 
Level 1: Shows some understanding of the importance of engaging in collaborative action and enabling cooperation among diverse actors as fundamental for sustainability but struggles with knowing about how these goals could be pursued.
 
Level 2: Shows clear understanding of the importance of engaging in collaborative action and enabling cooperation among diverse actors as fundamental for sustainability and can describe how these goals could be pursued.

Skills Objective

To be able to identify opportunities inside their own communities and organisations to make an active impact in sustainability, working collectively through negotiation and shared leadership to promote transparent and participatory change.

Level 0: Demonstrates limited ability to identify opportunities for sustainability work within their own community or organisation and struggles to contribute to collaborative efforts or to engage in shared processes that involve decision making. 
 
Level 1: The student is able to contribute to collaborative sustainability initiatives, showing skills in facilitation, communication and negotiation, although still with some difficulties regarding managing inclusive processes or aligning community members towards sustainable goals. 
 
Level 2: The student is able to initiate, develop and manage inclusive sustainability initiatives, showing strong social skills, leadership and the ability to mobilise community members around shared goals through an honest change process. 

Attitudes Objective

To demonstrate motivation to plan and carry out sustainability actions in a collaborative way rooted in empathy, shared responsibility and community engagement, aiming to promote an inclusive, democratic and regenerative future through collective effort and mutual respect.

Level 0: Shows limited motivation to engage in collaborative sustainability efforts and does not demonstrate the minimal awareness of the importance of ethics and empathy for the common well-being. 
 
Level 1: Displays a growing commitment to sustainability and starts to collaborate with others, showing a rising sense of team spirit, mutual respect and the will to contribute to social and environmental goals. 
 
Level 2: Actively participates in collective sustainability actions with a strong motivation, while showing empathy, inclusiveness, patience and a deep commitment to promoting social and environmental justice in service of the wider community and nature. 

Knowledge Objective

To understand the impact of their individual choices and initiatives on sustainability, recognising their personal responsibility to initiate positive change through conscious actions, behaviour change, and self-regulation in support of environmental and social well-being, going beyond the limits of individual action by initiating cooperation.

Level 0: Does not demonstrate awareness of the connection between personal choices and initiatives and sustainability. Lacks recognition of individual responsibility or potential to influence a positive change.
 
Level 1: Begins to show some acknowledgement that individual actions have consequences and demonstrates a growing sense of responsibility and motivation and potential to influence a positive change while align personal habits with sustainability values. 
 
Level 2: Understands and embraces personal responsibility for a sustain planet, demonstrating motivation, self-regulation and intention to change behaviour to actively contribute to social and environmental well-being and potential to influence a positive change.

Skills Objective

To have the ability to take initiative and act in a decisive way for sustainability, even in complex situations, applying sustainability principles, demonstrating resilience and mobilising others through leadership, reflection and effective action planning.

Level 0: Struggles to take initiative or respond to sustainability challenges, particularly in uncertain or complex situations, and does not have the ability to reflect on his/her own actions or even visualise alternative outcomes. 
 
Level 1: Demonstrates an ability to take initiative to respond to sustainability challenges, although the student may hesitate in complex or uncertain situations and applies leadership or planning strategies in an inconsistent way. 
 
Level 2: Takes initiative in complex sustainability contexts, acting with resilience and vision while mobilising other people, applying green sustainability principles and using reflective and strategic tools to overcome resistance and frustration and in that way make a meaningful change.

Attitudes Objective

To adopt a proactive and responsible attitude toward sustainability, demonstrating commitment, self-efficacy and motivation to act, both individually and collectively with the conviction that every choice and action contributes meaningfully to a better future.

Level 0: Shows no sense of responsibility or motivation to engage in sustainability efforts and does not yet recognise the broader impact of daily choices or actions. 
 
Level 1: Begins to demonstrate a growing sense of responsibility and commitment to sustainability, showing emerging proactivity and awareness that actions have broader consequences. 
 
Level 2: Demonstrates a proactive, committed and confident approach to sustainability, taking ownership of actions and inspiring both individual and collective care for people and the planet.