Teachers’ education has a pivotal role in the process of societal change and for leading towards a sustainable future. The current study aimed at investigating the effect of a course regarding education for sustainable development on the student-teachers’ attitude towards sustainable development. The data were collected from student teachers in two stages; in the first stage, data were collected from 287 students to validate the questionnaire while in the second stage data were collected from the experimental and controlled group. Structural equation modelling technique, paired and independent sample t-tests were applied for data analysis. The results of the quantitative and qualitative data indicate a positive change in the student-teachers’ attitude towards sustainable development. Student-teachers who studied education for sustainable development subject during their course-work were surveyed to determine if they had a positive attitude towards sustainable development compared to their counterpart student-teachers who did not study education for sustainable development subject. Results of the study advocate the need and potential of education for sustainable development in different academic programs, especially teachers’ education program in Pakistan, is to enhance the students’ attitude towards sustainable development. •Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plays a significant role in sustainable future.•Analysis of ESD course on pre-service teachers’ attitude and behaviour towards sustainable development (SD).•A significant increase in student-teachers’ attitude towards sustainable development (SD) after studying the ESD course.