From Classrooms to Climate Action: Civic Education as a Catalyst for Youth Environmental Engagement in Pakistan

Purpose: The teaching and learning of civic education is known as an effective means for the development of socially responsible and environmentally aware citizens. Pakistan experiences the adverse effects of climate change, which has heightened the environmental risks, and there is an emerging need to understand the role of education in fostering environmental awareness and changing the behaviors of youth in order to make them climate resistant. This study examines the impact of civic education on improving the awareness and engagement with climate change among the stakeholders of university in Pakistan, highlighting the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and practices. This research explores the impact of civic education on knowledge, civic responsibility, ethical awareness, and behaviors that promote sustainability, as well as how these are reflected in environmental engagement.Methodology; This was a qualitative research design, with data gathered from conversations with five academic and professional Civic and Environmental Studies practitioners. This enabled the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and opinions. Thematic analysis was performed using the approach of Braun and Clarke, which consists of systematic coding for identification and structuring of key themes.Findings; Results indicate that civic education has a significant impact on civic responsibility, civic awareness and morality. There is however a large gap between awareness and environmental action. This is primarily associated with the lack of learning experiences, a lack of institutional support and a lack of structured spaces for youth involvement.Implication.The study finds that if civic education moves from theory to practice and from passive to participatory learning methods then it would be possible to play a crucial role in fostering environmental citizenship in Pakistan.