Introduction
An institution can declare the most ambitious sustainability goals possible, but without a means to advance toward those goals, to guide and track efforts to reach them, the declarations remain empty. Sustainability management systems (SMS) have evolved, and continue to evolve, to provide just such a means. These systems may vary in scope from an entire institution to a single academic unit, but if higher education is to fulfill its role in “helping societies worldwide, to achieve sustainability” (Lozano García et al. 2006), educational leaders must find workable SMS solutions for their institutions.
This comes from the fact that higher education can play the role of both catalyst and multiplier in fostering sustainable development worldwide. Through the “application of values, especially integrity and fairness and the awareness that people share a common destiny” (Lozano García et al. 2006), those charged with managing higher education exercise broad influence on...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Accountability et al (2006) The materiality report. Aligning strategy, performance and reporting. AccountAbility, London, UK
Alshuwaikhat HM, Abubakar I (2008) An integrated approach to achieving campus sustainability. Assessment of the current campus environmental management practices. J Clean Prod 16(16):1777–1785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2007.12.002
Amaral LP, Martins N, Gouveia JB (2015) Quest for a sustainable university. A review. Int J Sustain High Educ 16(2):155–172. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-02-2013-0017
Asif M, Searcy C, Zutshi A, Fisscher OAM (2013) An integrated management systems approach to corporate social responsibility. J Clean Prod 56:7–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.10.034
Azapagic A (2003) Systems approach to corporate sustainability. Process Saf Environ Prot 81(5):303–316. https://doi.org/10.1205/095758203770224342
Barnes P, Jerman P (2002) Developing an environmental management system for a multiple-university consortium. J Clean Prod 10:33–39
Bennett M, Hopkinson P, James P (2006) Benchmarking environmental performance in the English University Sector. The experience of the Higher Education Environmental Performance Improvement (HEEPI) project. In: Schaltegger S, Bennett M, Burritt R (eds) Sustainability accounting and reporting, Eco-efficiency in industry and science, 21. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 409–430
Bernardo M, Simon A, Tarí JJ, Molina-Azorín JF (2015) Benefits of management systems integration. A literature review. J Clean Prod 94:260–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.01.075
Birnbaum R (1991) How colleges work: the cybernetics of academic organization and leadership. Jossey-Bass Higher Education, San Francisco
Brown HS, de Jong M, Levy DL (2009) Building institutions based on information disclosure. Lessons from GRI’s sustainability reporting. J Clean Prod 17(6):571–580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2008.12.009
Ceulemans K, Molderez I, van Liedekerke L (2015a) Sustainability reporting in higher education. A comprehensive review of the recent literature and paths for further research. J Clean Prod 106:127–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.09.052
Ceulemans K, Lozano R, Alonso-Almeida M (2015b) Sustainability reporting in higher education. Interconnecting the reporting process and organisational change management for sustainability. Sustain For 7(7):8881–8903. https://doi.org/10.3390/su7078881
Clarke A, Kouri R (2009) Choosing an appropriate university or college environmental management system. J Clean Prod 17(11):971–984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.02.019
Comoglio C, Botta S (2012) The use of indicators and the role of environmental management systems for environmental performances improvement. A survey on ISO 14001 certified companies in the automotive sector. J Clean Prod 20(1):92–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.08.022
Cortese AD (2003) The critical role of higher education in creating a sustainable future. Plan High Educ 31(3):15–22
Daimler (2016) Daimler sustainability report 2016. Daimler AG, Stuttgart, Germany
Disterheft A, da Silva Caeiro F, Sofia S, Ramos MR, Azeiteiro M, de Ulisses M (2012) Environmental Management Systems (EMS) implementation processes and practices in European higher education institutions – top-down versus participatory approaches. J Clean Prod 31:80–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.02.034
Disterheft A, Caeiro S, Azeiteiro UM, Leal Filho W (2013) Sustainability science and education for sustainable development in universities. A way for transition. In: Caeiro S, Filho WL, Jabbour C, Azeiteiro UM (eds) Sustainability assessment tools in higher education institutions. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 3–27
Domingues P, Sampaio P, Arezes PM (2016) Integrated management systems assessment. A maturity model proposal. J Clean Prod 124:164–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.02.103
Domingues AR, Lozano R, Ceulemans K, Ramos TB (2017) Sustainability reporting in public sector organisations. Exploring the relation between the reporting process and organisational change management for sustainability. J Environ Manag 192:292–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.01.074
Esquer-Peralta J, Velazquez L, Munguia N (2008) Perceptions of core elements for sustainability management systems (SMS). Manag Decis 46(7):1027–1038. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251740810890195
European Parliament (2009) Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS), repealing Regulation (EC) No 761/2001 and Commission Decisions 2001/681/EC and 2006/193/EC
Ferreira AJD, Lopes MAR, Morais JPF (2006) Environmental management and audit schemes implementation as an educational tool for sustainability. J Clean Prod 14(9–11):973–982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.01.003
Gianni M, Gotzamani K, Tsiotras G (2017) Multiple perspectives on integrated management systems and corporate sustainability performance. J Clean Prod 168:1297–1311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.09.061
GRI (2011) How to use the GRI guidelines in conjunction with ISO 26000. Global Reporting Initiative, Amsterdam
GRI (2017) GRI materiality disclosure services. Methodology. GRI Standards, Amsterdam
GRI (2018a) Sector guidance. Available online at https://www.globalreporting.org/information/g4/sector-guidance/sectorguidanceG4/Pages/default.aspx, checked on 3/8/2018
GRI (2018b) Sustainability disclosure database. Global Reporting Initiative. Available online at https://www.globalreporting.org/services/Analysis/Reports_List/Pages/default.aspx, checked on 3/2/2018
GRI and GSSB (2016) GRI sustainability reporting standards 2016. GRI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Hák T, Janoušková S, Moldan B (2016) Sustainable development goals. A need for relevant indicators. Ecol Indic 60:565–573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.08.003
Hřebíček J, Soukopová J, Štencl M, Trenz O (2011) Corporate key performance indicators for environmental management and reporting. Acta Univ Agric Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis 59(2):99–108. https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201159020099
ISO (2010) Guidance on social responsibility (ISO 26000:2010). ISO
ISO (2015) Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use (ISO 14001:2015). ISO
ISO (2016) Consolidated ISO Supplement – Procedures specific to ISO. ISO
ISO (2017) The ISO survey of management system standard certifications 2016. Available online at https://www.iso.org/the-iso-survey.html, updated on 3/13/2018, checked on 3/13/2018
Jones P, Comfort D, Hillier D (2016) Managing materiality. A preliminary examination of the adoption of the new GRI G4 guidelines on materiality within the business community. J Public Aff 16(3):222–230. https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1586
Koester RJ, Eflin J, Vann J (2006) Greening of the campus. A whole-systems approach. J Clean Prod 14(9–11):769–779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.11.055
Lambrechts W, Ceulemans K (2013) Sustainability assessment in higher education: evaluating the use of the Auditing Instrument for Sustainability in Higher Education (AISHE) in Belgium. In: Caeiro S (ed) Sustainability assessment tools in higher education institutions. Mapping trends and good practices around the world. With assistance of Walter Leal Filho, Charbel Jabbour, Ulisses M. Azeiteiro. Springer, Cham, pp 157–174
Levy DL, Szejnwald Brown H, de Jong M (2010) The contested politics of corporate governance. Bus Soc 49(1):88–115. https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650309345420
Lozano R (2006a) A tool for a Graphical Assessment of Sustainability in Universities (GASU). J Clean Prod 14(9–11):963–972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.11.041
Lozano R (2006b) Incorporation and institutionalization of SD into universities. Breaking through barriers to change. J Clean Prod 14(9–11):787–796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.010
Lozano García FJ, Kevany K, Huisingh D (2006) Sustainability in higher education. What is happening? J Clean Prod 14(9–11):757–760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.006
Lozano R, Nummert B, Ceulemans K (2016) Elucidating the relationship between sustainability reporting and organisational change management for sustainability. J Clean Prod 125:168–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.03.021
Lozano-García FJ, Huisingh D, Delgado-Fabián M (2009) An interconnected approach to incorporate sustainable development at Tecnológico de Monterrey. Int J Sustain High Educ 10(4):318–333. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370910990675
Mcmillin J, Dyball R (2009) Developing a Whole-of-University approach to educating for sustainability. J Educ Sustain 3(1):55–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/097340820900300113
Mora EP, Martin JE (1998) Environmental management systems within the university. Eco-Manag Audit 5(3):136–145. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0925(1998110)5:3<136::AID-EMA87>3.0.CO;2-7
Müller-Christ G, Sterling S, van Dam-Mieras R, Adomßent M, Fischer D, Rieckmann M (2014) The role of campus, curriculum, and community in higher education for sustainable development – a conference report. J Clean Prod 62:134–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.02.029
Nunhes TV, Motta F, César L, de Oliveira OJ (2016) Evolution of integrated management systems research on the journal of cleaner production. Identification of contributions and gaps in the literature. J Clean Prod 139:1234–1244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.08.159
Price TJ (2005) Preaching what we practice. Experiences from implementing ISO 14001 at the University of Glamorgan. Int J Sustain High Educ 6(2):161–178. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370510589873
Ramos TB, Caeiro S, van Hoof B, Lozano R, Huisingh D, Ceulemans K (2015) Experiences from the implementation of sustainable development in higher education institutions. Environmental Management for Sustainable Universities. J Clean Prod 106:3–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.05.110
Rebelo MF, Santos G, Silva R (2016) Integration of management systems. Towards a sustained success and development of organizations. J Clean Prod 127:96–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.04.011
Roorda N et al (2009) Assessment instrument for sustainability in higher education edition. Manual for Edition 2.0. Tilburg
Sammalisto K, Sundström A, Holm T (2015) Implementation of sustainability in universities as perceived by faculty and staff – a model from a Swedish university. J Clean Prod 106:45–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.10.015
Savely SM, Carson AI, Delclos GL (2007) An environmental management system implementation model for U.S. colleges and universities. J Clean Prod 15(7):660–670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.01.013
Souza JPE, Alves JM (2018) Lean-integrated management system. A model for sustainability improvement. J Clean Prod 172:2667–2682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.144
Sylvestre P, McNeil R, Wright T (2013) From Talloires to Turin. A critical discourse analysis of declarations for sustainability in higher education. Sustainability 5(12):1356–1371. https://doi.org/10.3390/su5041356.
UBA (2018) Umwelt- und Energiemanagementsysteme (Environmental and energy management systems). Umweltbundesamt. Available online at https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/daten/umwelt-wirtschaft/umwelt-energiemanagementsysteme#textpart-2, updated on 3/13/2018, checked on 3/13/2018
ULSF (1990) The Talloires declaration. 10 point action plan. University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (Association)
ULSF (2018) List of signatories of the Talloire declaration. University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (Association). Available online at http://ulsf.org/96-2/, checked on 3/8/2018
United Nations (2015) The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Transforming our World
Velazquez L, Munguia N, Platt A, Taddei J (2006) Sustainable university: what can be the matter? J Clean Prod 14(9–11):810–819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.008
Viebahn P (2002) An environmental management model for universities: from environmental guidelines to staff involvement. J Clean Prod 10:3–12
WCED (1987) Our common future: report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. World Commission on Environment and Development
WCHE (1998) World declaration on higher education in the twenty-first century: vision and action. World Conference on Higher Education. Available online at http://www.unesco.org/education/educprog/wche/declaration_eng.htm, updated on 3/16/2018
Whitehead J (2017) Prioritizing sustainability indicators. Using materiality analysis to guide sustainability assessment and strategy. Bus Strateg Environ 26(3):399–412. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1928
Wright T, Horst N (2013) Exploring the ambiguity. What faculty leaders really think of sustainability in higher education. Int J Sustain High Educ 14(2):209–227. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676371311312905
Zwick Y (2017) Der Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitskodex. Einstieg in die strategische Berichterstattung für alle. In: Keck W (ed) CSR und Kleinstunternehmen, Management-Reihe Corporate Social Responsibility. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 235–249
Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank Charles Duquette for his editorial review.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Gabriel, R. (2019). Sustainability Management System. In: Leal Filho, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11352-0_260
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11352-0_260
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-11351-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-11352-0
eBook Packages: EducationReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Education