Climate Change Education in Germany and Turkey: A Comparative Analysis of Educational Approaches

ABSTRACT: This study presents a comparative analysis of climate change education in Germany and Türkiye. The main objective is to identify similarities and differences in the two countries’ curricula, pedagogical approaches, and teacher training structures. While Germany has long adopted interdisciplinary, practice-oriented, and project-based instructional models, Türkiye has taken a significant institutional step by introducing the "Environmental Education and Climate Change" course into its national curriculum in 2022. Based on document analysis, the findings reveal that Germany prioritizes digital platforms, experiential learning, and sustainability-focused teaching methods, whereas Türkiye’s instruction remains largely theoretical and centered on knowledge transmission. Furthermore, teacher education programs in Germany are supported by interdisciplinary modules and field-based practices that integrate climate change content in a more structured manner. This research is significant as it examines how climate change—a global challenge—is addressed through education across different national systems, thereby contributing to the development of more sustainable educational policies. It also highlights the need for international cooperation in areas such as joint curriculum development, teacher exchange programs, and digital learning initiatives. These collaborative efforts have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of climate change education in both countries and contribute more meaningfully to global climate action.