Adoption of sustainable development schemes and behaviours in Italy: barriers and solutions – what can educators do?

Sustainable Development is the key new paradigm on which to base policies for the future. However, it is often used as a mere catchphrase without any operational strategies linked to it. Integrated approaches that illustrate the interlinkages between all the dimensions of sustainable development (environmental-social-economic) and promote new behaviours are needed. The role of research and widespread education, both formal and informal, are paramount in achieving this goal. Problems associated with sustainable development involve many stakeholders such as citizens, local communities, firms, and administrators. Each one considers the role of education fundamental for the implementation of sustainability. Yet, although each of them could contribute to sustainable development with easy operations, these innovations in behaviors have not been adopted. The present work focuses on the analysis of research based on questionnaires that used cognitive maps to delve into the concept of sustainable development in Italy. Barriers to the adoption of sustainable development behaviors and schemes in firms, local administrations and every day life are outlined along with actions for real future possibilities.