Synergizing Systems Thinking and Green Chemistry in Education for Sustainable Development Contexts: A Systematic ReviewThis Sample Abstract
Maulida Rahayu and Hernani

Departement of Chemistry, Indonesia University of Education, Bandung, 40153, Indonesia

Abstract

Integrating sustainability principles into chemistry education at the higher education level is increasingly important to equip students for the challenges of the 21st century. Systems thinking and Green Chemistry have been recommended as key approaches to fostering holistic understanding and advancing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in chemistry. This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) aims to examine how systems thinking, combined with green chemistry principles, is applied to support sustainability education, as well as to explore its practical implementation in higher education contexts. A comprehensive search was conducted across major databases, including Google Scholar and the Journal of Chemical Education, covering studies that published between 2021 and 2025. The inclusion criteria focused on research conducted by experts that discussed the application of systems thinking in chemistry learning, with particular emphasis on sustainability and green chemistry. The findings reveal that a systems thinking approach addresses the complexity of chemistry in relation to sustainability, promotes the development of critical thinking skills, and facilitates the integration of ESD principles into both theoretical and laboratory-based learning. These results highlight the potential of systems thinking as a framework for advancing sustainability competencies in chemistry education and provide recommendations for curriculum development and future research.

Keywords: Education for Sustainable Development, Systems Thinking, Green chemistry, Higher Education

Topic: Chemistry and Chemistry Education