Development of the “Green Social Work”. An approach from curricula and degree projects

Abstract

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Social work has historically paid little attention to environmental issues. However, current social challenges and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demand a greater commitment from the profession to environmental justice. This study analyzes the presence of environmental content in the curricula and final degree projects of two Social Work programs, one in Spain and one in Colombia. Through a documentary analysis, we examine how Green Social Work is addressed in study plans, professional competencies, graduation profiles, and student research projects. The findings reveal that while there are some references to environmental issues, they are not yet integrated transversally into social work education. Based on these results, we propose three key strategies for strengthening the environmental perspective in social work training: (1) incorporating sustainability-related courses, (2) expanding fieldwork opportunities in environmental contexts, and (3) promoting an intersectional approach in research and practice that includes environmental concerns. Additionally, we highlight the importance of integrating environmental ethics into national and international social work codes. This study contributes to ongoing discussions on the future of social work education and its role in addressing global environmental challenges.