Where effective ESD is taking place, it tends overwhelmingly to be in schools where there is a highly engaged and motivated principal, or another influential staff member taking on this leadership role. It is notable, therefore, that there is very little evidence of work being done to build the capacity of principals to introduce ESD in their schools. Like the teachers in their schools, many principals lack any specialised training in educational leadership, and very few have any training in ESD. As focal points and sometimes gatekeepers at their schools, this group of leaders will be important to the successful rollout of any broad scale ESD-related initiatives, including those related to the introduction of new curricula.