Environmental strategy: Linking environmental management systems and environmental education in primary schools : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science at Lincoln University

Abstract

This dissertation proposes an Environmental Strategy that links Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Environmental Education (EE) in primary schools. The strategy is intended to provide knowledge for school organisations interested in implementing an EMS, while embracing EE in the process. This is illustrated with children's participation in the generation of an environmental policy. An environmental policy is one of the stages in the EMS development.

The EMS and EE concepts are reviewed particularly in their role as a step towards pursuing sustainability. Guidelines to establish an EMS in primary schools are proposed. The guidelines are generic and need to be adapted to specific school needs. They were adapted from different guidelines available in the literature.

From this research it is discovered that EE should be considered not only for children but for the entire school's community. People interested in gathering together environmental initiatives of a school into an EMS, while promoting EE in the process, would find useful to consider the findings and recommendations of this research.