Abstract :
This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis to assess the trajectory of research on environmental literacy. By examining 661 articles from the Scopus database spanning from 1990 to 2025, the study reveals key developments and emerging trends in the field. Utilizing VOSviewer software for data visualization, the analysis identifies significant patterns in publications, collaboration networks, and influential contributors to the field. The findings highlight the predominant contribution of the United States, with major academic institutions such as the University of California and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at the forefront. The study reveals a notable increase in publications after 2010, particularly from 2020 onwards, reflecting the growing global recognition of environmental literacy. This research underscores the importance of addressing environmental challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss, through effective education and policy integration. Despite the dominance of research from Western countries, the study calls for greater representation from regions such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The study’s contributions are threefold: it advances the theoretical understanding of environmental literacy, introduces an integrative research methodology, and provides practical insights for educators, policymakers, and environmental organizations. These findings lay the foundation for future research and the development of strategies to foster environmental literacy and promote sustainability globally.
Keywords :
Bibliometric Analysis, Environmental Literacy, Global Trends, systematic literature reviewReferences :
- Acheampong, M., Ejiofor, C., Salinas-Miranda, A., Jaward, F. M., Eduful, M., & Yu, Q. (2018). Bridging the under-five mortality gap for Africa in the era of sustainable development goals: An ordinary least squares (OLS) analysis. Annals of Global Health, 84(1), 110–120. https://doi.org/10.29024/aogh.9
- Akakpo, M. G., Bokpin, H. A., & Hagan, S. (2024). Pro-environmental behavior: The relationship with information literacy self-efficacy, climate knowledge and climate anxiety among students in Ghana. Oxford Open Climate Change, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfclm/kgae015
- Alqassim, A. Y., Alharbi, A. A., Muaddi, M. A., Jurebi, R. M., Daak, L. I., Moafa, A. I., Masmali, M. A., Salami, R. N., Zakri, H. Y., & Wafi, A. M. (2024). Assessing Environmental Health Hazard Awareness for Sustainability: A Survey of Adults in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020593
- Arizona, K., Rokhmat, J., Ramdani, A., Gunawan, G., & Sukarso, A. (2025). Examining global trends in 21st century skills : a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. the 3rd international conference on islamic education and science development (iconside), May, 585–610. https://proceeding.uinmataram.ac.id/index.php/iconside/article/view/264
- Asyari, A., Meiliyadi, L. A. D., Sucilestari, R., & Arizona, K. (2024). Exploring Student Creativity and Collaboration Through Project-Based Learning With Google Sites. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 10(2), 308–322. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v10i2.40215
- Bayer, R., Travis, A., & Wang, C. (2021). Kids growing with grains: Connecting agriculture, nutrition, and environmental literacy. Journal of Youth Development, 15(6), 272–291. https://doi.org/10.5195/JYD.2020.964
- Bert, F., Gea, M., Previti, C., Massocco, G., Lo Moro, G., Scaioli, G., Schilirò, T., & Siliquini, R. (2023). The Environmental Health Literacy of Italian General Population: The SPeRA Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054486
- Byrne, B., Coventry, W. L., Olson, R. K., Samuelsson, S., Corley, R., Willcutt, E. G., Wadsworth, S., & DeFries, J. C. (2009). Genetic and environmental influences on aspects of literacy and language in early childhood: Continuity and change from preschool to Grade 2. Journal of Neurolinguistics, 22(3), 219–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroling.2008.09.003
- Catarino, A. I., Mahu, E., Severin, M. I., Akpetou, L. K., Annasawmy, P., Asuquo, F. E., Beckman, F., Benomar, M., Jaya-Ram, A., & Malouli, M. (2023). Addressing data gaps in marine litter distribution: Citizen science observation of plastics in coastal ecosystems by high-school students. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1126895
- ChamCham, J., Pakravan-Charvadeh, M. R., Maleknia, R., & Flora, C. (2024). Media literacy and its role in promoting sustainable food consumption practices. Scientific Reports, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69627-6
- Chao, Y.-L. (2024). Different tracks, same greenness? Environmental literacy models integrated with teachers’ environmental education practices for academic vs. technical/vocational high school students. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2357922
- Curdt-Christiansen, X. L. (2020). Environmental literacy: raising awareness through Chinese primary education textbooks. Language, Culture and Curriculum, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/07908318.2020.1797078
- Devaney, L., Brereton, P., Torney, D., Coleman, M., Boussalis, C., & Coan, T. G. (2020). Environmental literacy and deliberative democracy: a content analysis of written submissions to the Irish Citizens’ Assembly on climate change. Climatic Change, 162(4), 1965–1984. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-020-02707-4
- Durmus, E., & Kinaci, M. K. (2021). Opinions of Social Studies Teacher Education Students about the Impact of Environmental Education on Ecological Literacy. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 11(2), 482–501. https://doi.org/10.33403/rigeo.825516
- Fernández, R. J. (2016). How to be a more effective environmental scientist in management and policy contexts. Environmental Science and Policy, 64, 171–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2016.07.006
- Fošner, A. (2025). Sustainability Literacy as a Key to a Better Future: A Look at Higher Education. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030987
- García Gómez, J., & Martínez Bernat, F. J. (2010). How and what to teach about biodiversity in scientific literacy. Ensenanza de Las Ciencias, 28(2), 175–184. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/ec/v28n2.212
- Grant, E. J. (2020). Mainstreaming environmental education for architects: the need for basic literacies. Buildings and Cities, 1(1), 538–549. https://doi.org/10.5334/bc.41
- Gustafsdottir, S. S., Mårtensson, L., Sigurdardottir, A. K., & Arnadottir, S. A. (2024). When great responsibility comes with limited options: experiences and needs of older community-dwelling adults regarding accessing, understanding, appraising and using health-related information. BMC Geriatrics, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05236-2
- Ha, C., Huang, G., Zhang, J., & Dong, S. (2022). Assessing ecological literacy and its application based on linguistic ecology: a case study of Guiyang City, China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(13), 18741–18754. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16753-7
- Hsu, C.-H., Chang, Y.-M., & Liu, C.-C. (2019). Can short-term citizen science training increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and change behavior to protect land crabs? Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11143918
- Hughes, J. E., Sauer, J. D., Drummond, A., Brumby, L. E., & Palmer, M. A. (2023). Endorsement of scientific inquiry promotes better evaluation of climate policy evidence. Climatic Change, 176(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-023-03535-y
- Husamah, H., Suwono, H., Nur, H., & Dharmawan, A. (2022). The development and validation of environmental literacy instrument based on spirituality for prospective science teachers. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 18(12). https://doi.org/10.29333/EJMSTE/12732
- Kurniawan, E., Saputra, Z. S., & Akhyar, M. (2024). Environmental Literacy and Responsibility Level of Students in the Geography Education Study Program in Universitas Negeri Semarang as Prospective Teachers. International Journal of Environmental Impacts, 7(2), 221–232. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijei.070207
- Laut, J., Wright, S. N., Nov, O., & Porfiri, M. (2014). Gowanus voyage: Where mechatronics, public art, community members, and environmental science meet [focus on education]. IEEE Control Systems, 34(1), 60–64. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCS.2013.2287386
- Lee, D. B., & Kang, D. (2023). Environmental literacy in ethnic Korean textbooks in China. Cogent Education, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2256201
- Liang, S.-W., Fang, W.-T., Yeh, S.-C., Liu, S.-Y., Tsai, H.-M., Chou, J.-Y., & Ng, E. (2018). A nationwide survey evaluating the environmental literacy of undergraduate students in Taiwan. Sustainability (Switzerland), 10(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061730
- Liu, L., & Tobias, G. R. (2024). The impact of environmental literacy on residents’ green consumption:Experimental evidence from China. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2023.100165
- Lu, S., Sun, Z., & Huang, M. (2024). The impact of digital literacy on farmers’ pro-environmental behavior: an analysis with the Theory of Planned Behavior. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1432184
- Maryati, S., Lihawa, F., Yusuf, D., Pratama, M. I. L., Kasim, M., Akase, N., & Hubaib, N. M. (2022). Improving community environmental literacy regarding the impact of mercury use in the artisanal small-scale gold mining sector (A study in Sumalata Timur District, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province). Jurnal Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam Dan Lingkungan, 12(4), 633–643. https://doi.org/10.29244/jpsl.12.4.633-643
- McBride, B. B., Brewer, C. A., Berkowitz, A. R., & Borrie, W. T. (2013). Environmental literacy, ecological literacy, ecoliteracy: What do we mean and how did we get here? Ecosphere, 4(5). https://doi.org/10.1890/ES13-00075.1
- Mokos, M., Realdon, G., & Zubak Čižmek, I. Z. (2020). How to increase ocean literacy for future ocean sustainability? The influence of non-formal marine science education. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(24), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410647
- Mylonas, G., Amaxilatis, D., Paganelli, F., Chatzigiannakis, I., Koulouris, P., Falkouskaya, Y., & Markopoulos, P. (2025). Results From a Large-Scale IoT-Based Intervention for Energy Saving and Sustainability Awareness via Behavior Change in 25 K-12 Schools in Europe. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 12(12), 19308–19325. https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2025.3544652
- Ndzimbomvu, N. T., Rampedi, I. T., & Kemp, M. E. (2021). Learning environmental issues from a secondary school curriculum: The case of learners in mamelodi township, South Africa. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169149
- Okyay, Ö., Sayin, A., Demİr, Z. G., & Özdemİr, K. (2022). The impact of ecological literacy training on environmental awareness and attitudes of pre-school childrens. Milli Egitim, 51(236), 2851–2870. https://doi.org/10.37669/milliegitim.944271
- Pfleger, E., Drexler, H., & Lutz, R. (2024). Health Literacy and Environmental Risks Focusing Air Pollution: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in Germany. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030366
- Ramírez, A. S., Ramondt, S., van Bogart, K., & Perez-Zuniga, R. (2019). Public Awareness of Air Pollution and Health Threats: Challenges and Opportunities for Communication Strategies To Improve Environmental Health Literacy. Journal of Health Communication, 24(1), 75–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2019.1574320
- Ramulumo, M., & Shabalala, N. P. (2025). Comparing Environmental Literacy in Stem and Non-Stem Preschools: Evaluating the Impact on Young Children’s Understanding and Attitudes. International Journal of Early Childhood, 57(2), 447–462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-024-00405-1
- Rastegarimehr, B., Raoofi, S., Zahedi, A., Ahmadi Teymourlouy, A. A., Mahboubi, M., & Sadeghifar, J. (2024). Identifying factors affecting the selection of heads of city health centers in Iran: A phenomenological study. PLOS ONE, 19(6 June). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304759
- Riveros-Davalos, M., Pérez-Arboleda, P. A., Aparicio-Ballena, J. A., Lima-Roman, P., Contreras-Julián, R. M., & Aquije-Dapozzo, C. L. (2024). The environmental approach from the evaluation of eco-efficiency in the context of latin american educational institutions. Revista de Gestao Social e Ambiental, 18(4). https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n4-027
- Rodríguez-Pérez, L., Azcárate Goded, M. D. P., & García González, E. (2024). Environmental Literacy in Initial Teacher Training: Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions of the Socio-Environmental Impact of Food. Education Sciences, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14080912
- Ronen, T., & Kerret, D. (2020). Promoting sustainable wellbeing: Integrating positive psychology and environmental sustainability in education. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(19), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17196968
- Ronto, R., Saberi, G., Carins, J., Papier, K., & Fox, E. (2022). Exploring young Australians’ understanding of sustainable and healthy diets: A qualitative study. Public Health Nutrition, 25(10), 2957–2969. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980022001513
- Saulais, L., & Espougne, B. (2024). Shaping sustainable consumption: Quebec consumers’ knowledge and beliefs about the environmental impacts of food. Appetite, 203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107659
- Selin, N. E., Stokes, L. C., & Susskind, L. E. (2017). The need to build policy literacy into climate science education. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.455
- Severin, M. I., Akpetou, L. K., Annasawmy, P., Asuquo, F. E., Beckman, F., Benomar, M., Jaya-Ram, A., Malouli, M., Mees, J., & Monteiro, I. (2023). Impact of the citizen science project COLLECT on ocean literacy and well-being within a north/west African and south-east Asian context. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1130596
- Shi, G., Yu, J., Zhang, J., Zhao, J., Peng, Z., & Shang, L. (2025). Factors affecting online health information-seeking behavior in young and middle-aged patients with stroke. PLOS ONE, 20(4 April). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321791
- Sholahuddin, A., Susilowati, E., Prahani, B. K., & Erman, E. (2021). Using a cognitive style-based learning strategy to improve students’ environmental knowledge and scientific literacy. International Journal of Instruction, 14(4), 791–808. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.14445a
- Sucilestari, R., Arizona, K., Mutiara, B., Nirmala, A., & Aspia, A. (2025). Exploring the Effectiveness of Project-Based Blended Learning in Science E-Books for Improving Digital Literacy. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 11(6), 509–518. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v11i6.11131
- Sucilestari, R., Ramdani, A., Susilawati, S., Sukarso, A., & Rokhmat, J. (2025a). Analysis of project-based science E-module development integrated with mangrove ecotourism for scientific creativity and environmental literacy. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 9(8), 666–686. https://doi.org/10.55214/2576-8484.v9i8.9396
- Sucilestari, R., Ramdani, A., Susilawati, S., Sukarso, A., & Rokhmat, J. (2025b). The impact of project-based learning on students ’ creativity : a systematic literature review from 2005 to 2025. the 3rd international conference on islamic education and science development (ICONSIDE), May, 611–633.
- Tohmiya, N., Tadaka, E., & Arimoto, A. (2018). Cross-sectional study of cognitive stress appraisal and related factors among workers in metropolitan areas of Japan. BMJ Open, 8(6). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019404
- Vandiver, K. M., Erdei, E., Mayer, A. G., Ricciardi, C., O’Leary, M., Burke, K., & Zelikoff, J. T. (2022). Building Environmental Health and Genomics Literacy among Healthcare Providers Serving Vulnerable Communities: An Innovative Educational Framework. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020929
- Weng, T.-S. (2022). Study on e-book teaching material on students’ difference of ecological cognition: using e-book Farm of Happiness as an example. International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 33(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJIL.2023.127981
- Wheaton, M., Ardoin, N. M., Bowers, A. W., & Kannan, A. (2024). Sociocultural learning theories for social-ecological change. Environmental Education Research, 30(8), 1193–1210. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2024.2347888
- Wilujeng, I., DWANDARU, W. S. B., & Rauf, R. A. B. A. (2019). The effectiveness of education for environmental sustainable development to enhance environmental literacy in science education: A case study of hydropower. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 8(4), 521–528. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v8i4.19948

