Declarations and Commitments: The Cognitive Practice of Sustainability Agreements

Abstract

This study analyzes six American voluntary agreements for university sustainability, demonstrating that the individual agreement networks intersect to form a larger network for sustainable low-carbon transitions. Drawing on a framework of social and institutional learning, the study uses network and positional analysis methods to map the cognitive practice of universities engaged in voluntary sustainability commitment. These agreements scaffold learning structures for member universities, providing support in the search for solutions to sustainable transitions. Within these structures, universities experiment and learn as they construct new norms for institutions. Through their participation, universities join a network of shared practice and beliefs. By participating in several of these networks, institutions are connected to many new ideas and practices. These overlapping memberships link together, making a network of networks. By choosing to participate in any or all of these agreements, universities have chosen to enter into a dialogue about and practice of sustainable transition, where learning, experience and expertise intersect. The universities participating in these voluntary sustainability agreements are forming a network of committed practitioners supported by policies and an emerging cognitive practice with the ability, capacity and commitment to significantly address the critical problem of climate change.