Environmental Awareness Scout Interest Badge

The Environmental Awareness Scout Interest Badge encourages Scouts to explore the impact of human actions on the environment, understand global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss, and take informed, practical steps to care for the Earth. Through learning, sharing, and service, Scouts develop the knowledge and skills to become active stewards of their communities and the planet.

Note that the former World Scout Environment Badge has been discontinued and can no longer be completed. It has been replaced with the Environmental Awareness Scout Interest Badge.

Badge Requirements

Environmental Awareness

1. Prerequisite Knowledge and Training
   Have passed the Conservation Scoutcraft Badge and be able to re-demonstrate those skills.
   OR
   Complete all the requirements for the Conservation Scoutcraft Badge.
2. Sustainable Development Goals
   Have an understanding of all seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), choose ONE, design and make a poster about the SDG and put it up in your Scout meeting place.
3. Environmental Education and Awareness
   Run a training session in your Troop on ONE of the following environmental topics:
   (The presentation must include suitable training aids showing cause and/or effects on the chosen topic.)
   1. Identify sources of clean water and clean air in the local environment. Explain the relationship of personal actions to the availability of clean water and clean air in the local and global environment.
   2. Explain the local impact of harmful substances to people and the broader environment and what can be done by individuals, Scouts, groups and the community to reduce this risk.
   3. Be able to recognise different types of environmental hazards and natural disasters and explain why they occur. Explain how changes to the environment can influence environmental hazards and natural disasters in the local area.
   4. After discussion with your Examiner on your agreed choice of topic, present a suitable topic on a current environmental issue, be it local or global.
4. Global Environmental Challenges
   Discuss with your Examiner any TWO of the following global environmental topics:
   1. Your awareness of global conservation issues effecting biodiversity.
   2. Your understanding of the global impact of harmful substances and how local actions can change the global environment.
   3. Explain how your choice of action and responsibility as a Scout, an individual, group and community and country can affect the environment and how local solutions can impact global issues.
   4. Your understanding of the local to global connections of your chosen Environmental Service Project in #6 below.
5. Exploring Local Ecosystems
   In a Patrol of no less than four scouts, explore a local natural area and understand the ecosystem connections of indigenous species of plants and animals and their habitat needs.
   Demonstrate the relationship between personal actions and the availability of sufficient natural habitat to support indigenous species.
6. Environmental Action and Service
   Identify local environmental issues and potential solutions.
   Plan and execute a six-hour (minimum) Environmental Service Project by yourself or, preferably, as a member of a Patrol of no less than four Scouts, to address a specific Nature and Biodiversity challenge in your community.
   The project may also include other members of your community.
   Evaluate and discuss with the Examiner, the results of the Project and the effect that it had on the Scouts, the community and the environment.

Badge Examiner
Training and evaluation for this badge should be conducted by a suitably qualified person who has relevant experience or formal training in environmental science, conservation, or sustainability.

Safe From Harm: Whilst completing the requirements for this badge, Scouts must not be placed in hazardous or dangerous situations under any circumstances. All activities must comply with SCOUTS South Africa Safe from Harm framework and be supervised by responsible adults. Participation should offer meaningful learning or service experiences while ensuring the Scout's safety and well-being at all times.

Badge Requirements in printable PDF format

• Environmental Awareness Scout Interest Badge (PDF)

What You Need First

The following Scoutcraft and/or Interest Badges must be completed before undertaking this badge:

• Conservation Scoutcraft Badge

Last Update

June 2025

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