Introduction
Sustainability is an issue that has been discussed in higher education institutions since the late 1990s or even earlier. However, the concept of a sustainable university was developed much more comprehensively during the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, a UN initiative from 2005 to 2014 aimed to provide oversight, advice, and educational resources worldwide to help create a more sustainable future (UNESCO 2018). Since that time, it is expected by the international community that more universities around the globe will adopt the principles of sustainable development under the guidelines set forth in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This chapter outlines the evolution of the concept of a sustainable university, and several strategies for the implementation of sustainability within universities are presented. The first avenue is teaching; the most obvious characteristic of this approach is the...
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
Adams R, Martin S, Boom K (2018) University culture and sustainability: designing and implementing an enabling framework. J Clean Prod 17:434–445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.032
Alshuwaikhat HM, Abubakar I (2008) An integrated approach to achieving campus sustainability: assessment of the current campus environmental management practices. J Clean Prod 16:1777–1785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2007.12.002
Altomonte S, Logan B, Feisst M et al (2016) Interactive and situated learning in education for sustainability. Int J Sustain High Educ 17:417–443. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-01-2015-0003
Bacon CM, Mulvaney D, Ball TB et al (2011) The creation of an integrated sustainability curriculum and student praxis projects. Int J Sustain High Educ 12:193–208. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676371111118237
Barker J, Gossman P (2013) The learning impact of a virtual learning environment: students’ views. Teach Educ Adv Netw J 5(2):155–169 Retrieved from http://194.81.189.19/ojs/index.php/TEAN/article/viewFile/146/261
Barlett P, Chase G (2012) Curricular innovation~ for sustainability: the Piedmont/Ponderosa model of faculty development. Lib Educ 98(4):14–21
Barth M (2013) Many roads lead to sustainability: a process-oriented analysis of change in higher education. Int J Sustain High Educ 14:160–175. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676371311312879
Beynaghi A, Trencher G, Moztarzadeh F, Mozafari M, Maknoon R, Leal Filho W (2016) Future sustainability scenarios for universities: moving beyond the United Nations decade of education for sustainable development. J Clean Prod 112(Part 4):3464–3478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.10.117
Biberhofer P, Rammel C (2017) Transdisciplinary learning and teaching as answers to urban sustainability challenges. Int J Sustain High Educ 18:63–83. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-04-2015-0.078
Can Baran A (2015) Reflections on interdisciplinary sustainability research with undergraduate students. Int J Sustain High Educ 16:354–366. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-11-2013-0153
Chalker-Scott L, Tinnemore R (2009) Is community-based sustainability education sustainable? A general overview of organizational sustainability in outreach education. J Clean Prod 17(12):1132–1137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.02.02m
Chang SS, Chen K (2011) University librarians respond to changes in higher education: example of a medical school. New Libr World 112(9/10):425–445. https://doi.org/10.1108/0307480111118202
Coops NC, Marcus J, Construt I et al (2015) How an entry-level, interdisciplinary sustainability course revealed the benefits and challenges of a university wide initiative for sustainability education. Int J Sustain High Educ 16(5):729–747
Correia PRM, Xavier do Valle B, Dazzani M, Infante-Malachias ME (2010) The importance of scientific literacy in fostering education for sustainability: theoretical considerations and preliminary findings from a Brazilian experience. J Clean Prod 18:678–685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.09.011
Disterheft A, Ferreira Da Silva Caeiro SS, Ramos MR, De Miranda Azeiteiro UM (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, Filho WL (2015) Sustainable universities – a study of critical success factors for participatory approaches. J Clean Prod 106:11–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.01.030
Dlouhá J, Henderson L, Kapitulčinová D, Mader C (2018) Sustainability-oriented higher education networks: characteristics and achievements in the context of the UN DESD. J Clean Prod 172:4263–4276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.07.239
Ernst, Young (2012) University of the future: a thousand year old industry on the cusp of profound change. Available at: http://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/University_of_the_future/$FILE/University_of_the_future_2012.pdf. Retrieved: 16 Jan 2018
Finlay J, Massey J (2012) Eco-campus: applying the ecocity model to develop green university and college campuses. Int J Sustain High Educ 13:150–165. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676371211211836
Fisher RM (2003) Applying ISO 14001 as a business tool for campus sustainability. Int J Sustain High Educ 4:138–150. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370310467159
Fukushima Y, Ishimura G, Komasinski AJ et al (2017) Education and capacity building with research: a possible case for Future Earth. Int J Sustain High Educ 18:263–276. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-10-2015-0170
Gaziulusoy AI, Ryan C, McGrail S et al (2016) Identifying and addressing challenges faced by transdisciplinary research teams in climate change research. J Clean Prod 123:55–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.08.049
Griffin P, Care E (2014) Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills: methods and approach. Springer
Helferty A, Clarke A (2009) Student-led campus climate change initiatives in Canada. Int J Sustain High Educ 10:287–300. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370910972594
Hensley N (2017) The future of sustainability in higher education. J Sustain Educ 13. http://www.susted.com/wordpress/content/the-future-of-sustainability-in-higher-education_2017_03/. Retrieved 16 Jan 2018
Holm T, Sammalisto K, Grindsted TS, Vuorisalo T (2015) Process framework for identifying sustainability aspects in university curricula and integrating education for sustainable development. J Clean Prod 106:164–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.04.059
Junyent M, de Ciurana AMG (2008) Education for sustainability in university studies: a model for reorienting the curriculum. Br Educ Res J 34:763–782. https://doi.org/10.1080/01411920802041343
Kentnor H (2015) Faculty scholarship distance education and the evolution of online learning in the United States. Curric Teach Dialogue 17(1 & 2):21–34
Kliucininkas L (2001) Assessment of sustainability: studies at universities and colleges in Lithuania. J Clean Prod 2(3):250–256
Lidgren A, Rodhe H, Huisingh D (2006) A systemic approach to incorporate sustainability into university courses and curricula. J Clean Prod 14:797–809. (2006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.011
Lozano R (2006) Incorporation and institutionalization of SD into universities: breaking through barriers to change. J Clean Prod 14:787–796. (2006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.010
Lozano R (2010) Diffusion of sustainable development in universities’ curricula: an empirical example from Cardiff University. J Clean Prod 18:637–644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.07.005
Maitaouthong T, Tuamsuk K, Tachamanee Y (2011) Development of the instructional model by integrating information literacy in the class learning and teaching processes. Educ Inf 28(2–4):137–150
Marginson S, van der Wende M (2009) Chapter 1. The new global landscape of nations and institutions. In: OECD (ed) Higher education to 2030 – volume 2: globalisation. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, pp 17–62
McPherson MS, Bacow LS (2015) Online higher education: beyond the hype cycle. J Econ Perspect 29(4):135–154
Melnic AS, Botez N (2014) Formal, non-formal and informal interdependence in education. Econ Transdisciplinarity Cogn 17(1):113–118
Nejati M, Nejati M (2013) Assessment of sustainable university factors from the perspective of university students. J Clean Prod 48:101–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.09.006
Nuhoǧlu H (2010) The effect of the system dynamics approach on understanding causal relationship skills in science education. Procedia Soc Behav Sci 2(2):3614–3618
Opel O, Strodel N, Werner KF et al (2017) Climate-neutral and sustainable campus Leuphana University of Lueneburg. Energy 141:2628–2639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.08.039
Ospina-Delgado JE, Zorio-Grima A, García-Benau MA (2016) Massive open online courses in higher education: a data analysis of the MOOC supply. Intangible Capital 12(5):1401–1450
Pfautsch S, Gray T (2017) Low factual understanding and high anxiety about climate warming impedes university students to become sustainability stewards. Int J Sustain High Educ 18:1157–1175. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2016-0179
Ratiu C, Anderson BB (2014) Sustainability in complex environments: making sense of the Katrina lawsuits. World J Sci Technol Sustain Dev 11:162–169. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-07-2014-0014
Roffe I (2004) Innovation and e-learning: e-business for an educational enterprise. University of Wales Press, Cardiff
Savelyeva T, Douglas W (2017) Global consciousness and pillars of sustainable development. Int J Sustain High Educ 18:218–241. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-04-2016-0063
Seymour JM (1972) Contrasts between formal and informal education among the Iban of Sarawak. Malaysia Rev Educ Res 42(4):477–491
Shi H, Lai E (2013) An alternative university sustainability rating framework with a structured criteria tree. J Clean Prod 61:59–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.09.006
Siddiq F, Gochyyev P, Wilson M (2017) Learning in digital networks – ICT literacy: a novel assessment of students’ 21st century skills. Comput Educ 109:11–37
Spellerberg IF, Buchan GD, Englefield R (2004) Need a university adopt a formal environmental management system?: Progress without an EMS at a small university. Int J Sustain High Educ 5(2):125–132. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370410526215
Stough T, Ceulemans K, Lambrechts W, Cappuyns V (2018) Assessing sustainability in higher education curricula: a critical reflection on validity issues. J Clean Prod 172:4456–4466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.017
Swearingen White S (2014) Campus sustainability plans in the United States: where, what, and how to evaluate? Int J Sustain High Educ 15:228–241. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-08-2012-0075
Tamburini F, Kelly T, Weerapana E, Byers JA (2014) Paper to plastics: an interdisciplinary summer outreach project in sustainability. J Chem Educ 91:1574–1579. https://doi.org/10.1021/ed400892t
ULSF (1999) Association of University leader for a sustainable future: the declaration, Vol. 3 No. 1. March (1999)
UNESCO (2002) Open and distance learning: trends, policy and strategy considerations. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris
UNESCO (2014) Shaping the future we want UN decade of education for sustainable development. 2005–2014 final report. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris, p 198. https://doi.org/10.5363/tits.11.4_46
UNESCO (2017a) Education for sustainable development goals: learning objectives. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris
UNESCO (2017b) Unpacking sustainable development goal 4 education 2030: guide. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris Retrieved: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002463/246300E.pdf
UNESCO (2018) UN decade of ESD. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris Retrieved: https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-sustainable-development/what-is-esd/un-decade-of-esd
van Weenen H (2000) Towards a vision of a sustainable university. Int J Sustain High Educ 1:20–34. https://doi.org/10.1108/1467630010307075
Velazquez L, Munguia N, Platt A, Taddei J (2006) Sustainable university: what can be the matter? J Clean Prod 14:810–819. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2005.12.008
Wachholz S, Artz N, Chene D (2014) Warming to the idea: university students’ knowledge and attitudes about climate change. Int J Sustain High Educ 15:128–141. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-03-2012-0025
Whitaker J, New JR, Ireland RD (2016) MOOCs and the online delivery of business education What’s new? What’s not? What now? Acad Manag Learn Educ 15(2):345–365
Zeegers Y, Francis Clark I (2014) Students’ perceptions of education for sustainable development. Int J Sustain High Educ 15:242–253. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2012-0079
Zilahy G, Huisingh D (2009) The roles of academia in regional sustainability initiatives. J Clean Prod 17:1057–1066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.03.018
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
Esquer, J., Zepeda Quintana, D.S., Munguia Vega, N.E. (2019). Sustainable University Profiles. In: Leal Filho, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11352-0_498
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11352-0_498
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