Organisation profile

Sustainability has many facets. Inter- and transdisciplinary research and teaching characterize the School of Sustainability. Scientists in our research projects work together in the laboratory, on the heath, in the grassland, in the classroom, with the city administration, with farmers, with non-governmental organizations, with companies, with students in the lecture hall and of course at their desks.

Furthermore, we work with regional and national political actors, e.g. ministries, as well as international organizations, e.g. UNEP, UNESCO, EU. We are part of national and international bodies, e.g. sustainability advisory boards of companies, member of the German Sustainability Award, World Biodiversity Council (IPBES), in order to contribute to social change with scientific findings.

Main research areas

Vision
Sustainability science investigates on a theoretical, conceptual and empirical level how to promote sustainable development and how to find and implement effective solutions for current social and ecological challenges. The aim is to create a more sustainable future.

Sustainability researchers are called upon to take responsibility for their research, which is anchored in existing scientific knowledge and methods and serves to make the world a better place for everyone.

Mission
We promote change towards a sustainable future by developing theories, concepts and practices of inclusive education for sustainability, research, governance and management.

We acknowledge the diversity and dynamics of values, norms and behaviour and contribute with transdisciplinary methods to ensuring that tensions and differences between different disciplines, methods, topics and standards are fruitfully taken up and used with productive compromises and further developments towards sustainable development.

Principles
The School of Sustainability is guided by the normative concepts of ecological system integrity and social and economic justice.

Ecological system integrity refers to the safeguarding of life-support systems, as well as the maintenance of the well-being of life on Earth.

With social and economic justice we strive for a world in which all people can fulfil their potential without endangering system integrity and the well-being of others.

Information about the School
The School of Sustainability includes...
... ca. 25 professors
... ca. 100 research assistants
... ca. 1000 students in Bachelor and Master courses

In various inter- and transdisciplinary projects we are constantly researching and working together on changes and solutions for current challenges.

  1. TM 1.3 IP Verbund 1 INaMi: Innovations- und Transferverbund Nachhaltiger Mittelstand

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Petersen, H. (Coordination), Klewitz, J. (Project staff), Schock, M. (Project staff), Schmitt-Sattelberg, A. (Project staff), Modelsee, F. (Project staff), Weber, U. (Project staff) & Schäffler, A. (Project staff)

    Investitions- und Förderbank Niedersachsen – NBank

    19.08.0931.03.16

    Project: Transfer (R&D project)

  2. BNE Mobilität: Bildung für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung - am Bespiel des Themenfelds Mobilität

    Stoltenberg, U. (Project manager, academic), Gottmann, T. (Project staff), Rieckmann, M. (Project staff) & Schröter, U. (Project staff)

    30.08.0716.06.09

    Project: Transfer (R&D project)

  3. ELAN: Projekt Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement (ELAN III)

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic)

    Ministry of Science and Culture of the State of Lower Saxony

    04.04.0730.04.10

    Project: Transfer (professional training)

  4. EIGEN: Efficient inter- and intragenerationally just use of ecosystem services - Sustainability-economic analysis of trade-offs in biodiversity and fishery policy

    Baumgärtner, S. (Project manager, academic), Quaas, M. F. (Project manager, academic), Hoberg, N. (Project staff), Stumpf, K. H. (Project staff), Voss, R. (Project staff), Glotzbach, S. (Project staff), Fünfgelt, J. (Project staff), Döring, R. (Partner), Schmidt, J. (Partner) & Becker, C. (Project staff)

    Federal Ministry of Education and Research

    01.07.1031.10.13

    Project: Research

  5. Nachhaltigkeitsbarometer: Greenpeace Nachhaltigkeitsbarometer: Was bewegt die Jugend?

    Michelsen, G. (Project manager, academic), Grunenberg, H. (Project staff) & Rode, H. (Project staff)

    01.09.1030.06.18

    Project: Research

  6. DBU-Sulfonamide: Verringerung des Eintrags an Tierarzneimitteln in die Umwelt mit besser abbaubaren Sulfonamiden

    Hamscher, G. (Coordination), Haiß, A. (Project staff), Kümmerer, K. (Partner), Kietzmann, M. (Partner), Höper, H. (Partner), Lattmann, J. (Partner, non-academic) & Jantzen, K. (Partner, non-academic)

    German Federal Environmental Foundation

    01.10.1010.02.14

    Project: Research

  7. COMTESS: Sustainable Coastal Land Management: Trade-offs in Ecosystem Services

    Baumgärtner, S. (Project manager, academic), Engler, J.-O. (Project staff), Kleyer, M. (Project manager, academic), Giani, L. (Partner), Ahlhorn, F. (Partner), Klenke, T. (Partner), Selck, T. J. (Partner), Stahl, J. (Partner), Oumeraci, H. (Partner), Bronstert, A. (Partner), Jeltsch, F. (Partner), Schröder, B. (Partner), Glatzel, S. (Partner), Miegel, K. (Partner), Ahlheim, M. (Partner) & Stoll-Kleemann, S. (Partner)

    Federal Ministry of Education and Research

    01.01.1131.07.16

    Project: Research

  8. IndiWa: IndiWa: Indicators for successful land- and water management

    Evers, M. (Project manager, academic) & Lange, L. (Project staff)

    01.05.0931.07.11

    Project: Research

  9. EDGE: Evaluating the Delivery of participatory environmenal Governance using an Evidence-based research design

    Newig, J. (Project manager, academic), Jager, N. W. (Project staff) & Challies, E. (Project manager, academic)

    01.04.1131.03.16

    Project: Research

  10. EnOB Leuphana: Energieoptimiertes Bauen: Klimaneutraler Campus Leuphana Universität Lüneburg

    Ruck, W. (Project manager, academic) & Keller, H. (Coordination)

    01.10.1031.12.17

    Project: Research

  11. Implementation of Sustainability into Research and Teaching of Higher Education Institutions in Eastern Europe

    Michelsen, G. (Project manager, academic), Adomßent, M. (Project manager, academic) & Otte, I. (Project manager, academic)

    German Federal Environmental Foundation

    01.01.1131.10.12

    Project: Research

  12. Training Programme „Sustainable University Development“

    Michelsen, G. (Project manager, academic), Rieckmann, M. (Project manager, academic) & Aguirre, P. (Partner)

    01.02.1114.05.11

    Project: Transfer (professional training)

  13. HEB: Academic partnership for the conservation of biodiversity

    Michelsen, G. (Project manager, academic), Rieckmann, M. (Project manager, academic), Adomßent, M. (Project staff), Timm, J.-M. (Project staff), Cosio, E. (Coordination) & Timaná, M. (Project staff)

    01.01.1123.11.16

    Project: Transfer (R&D project)

  14. Aboveground multitrophic plant-insect interactions in a Chinese subtropical forest (FOR 891 - Teilprojekt 09)

    Klein, A.-M. (Project manager, academic), Blüthgen, N. (Project manager, academic) & Bruelheide, H. (Project manager, academic)

    German Research Foundation

    01.02.1131.07.13

    Project: Research

  15. Medien und klimabewusstes Verhalten. Die Bedeutung des Fernsehens für ein nachhaltiges Alltagshandeln bei Jugendlichen.

    Lüdecke, G. (Project manager, academic) & Heinrichs, H. (Project manager, academic)

    01.04.0831.03.11

    Project: Dissertation project

  16. VerS: VerS - Verfall gesellschafticher Strukturen – Chance für nachhaltige Entwicklung

    Newig, J. (Project manager, academic) & Balsam, R. (Project staff)

    01.07.0931.12.11

    Project: Research

  17. NaGe: Befördern Nachhaltigkeitskompetenzen Frauen an die Spitze?

    Hofmeister, S. (Project manager, academic), Thiem, A. (Project staff), Katz, C. (Project staff), Moths, K. (Project staff) & Heilmann, S. (Project staff)

    Federal Ministry of Education and Research

    01.03.1131.12.14

    Project: Research

  18. Ressourcenpolitik und Geschlechtergerechtigkeit in der Globalisierung

    Hofmeister, S. (Project manager, academic) & Bauhardt, C. (Partner)

    01.04.1031.03.13

    Project: Research

  19. Promoting Knowledge in Times of Global Change - A Platform on Transdisciplinary Sustainability Sciences

    Michelsen, G. (Project manager, academic), Ahlers, T. (Partner), Fischer, D. (Coordination), Marwege, R. (Project staff), Richter, S. (Project staff), Hetze, K. (Project staff), Metz, C. (Project staff), Mader, M. (Project staff) & Timm, J.-M. (Project staff)

    01.05.1107.08.23

    Project: Research

  20. Sustainability Politics Barometer

    Heinrichs, H. (Project manager, academic) & Laws, N. (Project staff)

    01.03.1122.07.15

    Project: Research

  21. FSM III: International Leadership Training (ILT) Sustainibility Management - Onlinephase Jahrgang III

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic) & Grimm, J. (Project staff)

    01.03.1104.04.12

    Project: Transfer (professional training)

  22. SCHub: Social Change Hub

    Beckmann, M. (Project manager, academic), Zeyen, A. (Coordination) & Halberstadt, J. (Project manager, academic)

    14.04.0930.09.14

    Project: Teaching

  23. NJ ESD: New Jobs through ESD Competencies

    Stoltenberg, U. (Project manager, academic) & Holz, V. (Project staff)

    01.10.1031.07.14

    Project: Transfer (R&D project)

  24. Umweltauswirkungen von Umckaloabo

    Kümmerer, K. (Project manager, academic)

    01.10.1030.09.11

    Project: Research

  25. Interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit zur Vorhersage und Verhinderung von Naturkatastrophen

    Evers, M. (Project manager, academic)

    01.09.1031.08.15

    Project: Research

  26. Master Course Integrated Flood Risk Management

    Evers, M. (Project manager, academic)

    01.10.1031.05.11

    Project: Teaching

  27. Sustainable University: Sustainable University

    Michelsen, G. (Project manager, academic), Adomßent, M. (Coordination), Godemann, J. (Coordination), Burandt, S. (Project staff), Barth, M. (Project staff) & Rieckmann, M. (Project staff)

    01.07.0431.12.07

    Project: Transfer (R&D project)

  28. Intergenerationelle Gerechtigkeit und ökonomische Effizienz in der Nutzung von Ökosystemdienstleistungen unter Unsicherheit

    Baumgärtner, S. (Project manager, academic), Glotzbach, S. (Project staff), Hoberg, N. (Project staff), Fünfgelt, J. (Project staff) & Stumpf, K. H. (Project staff)

    22.07.0931.03.11

    Project: Research

  29. NGet: NGet - sustainable building energy technologies

    Möller, A. (Project manager, academic)

    18.02.0931.12.10

    Project: Research

  30. Klimaschutz und Verwirklichung eines globalen Nachhaltigkeitsideals

    Schomerus, T. (Project manager, academic) & Guerra González, J. (Project staff)

    11.03.0930.08.11

    Project: Research

  31. Umwelt- und Klimarekonstruktion Forschungsbohrung Garding2

    Urban, B. (Project manager, academic)

    01.02.1101.02.16

    Project: Dissertation project

  32. Sustainability controlling and reporting in the public sector

    Heinrichs, H. (Project manager, academic)

    01.11.0930.09.11

    Project: Research

  33. 100% EE-Region: 100% erneuerbare-Energie-Region Landkreis und Hansestadt Lüneburg

    Ruck, W. (Project manager, academic)

    29.06.1120.04.15

    Project: Research

  34. EMA-SEA: Environmental Management Accounting for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in South-East Asia

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Viere, T. (Project staff) & Herzig, C. (Project staff)

    01.11.0331.10.07

    Project: Transfer (R&D project)

  35. DB: Wertorientierte Ausrichtung des Umweltmanagements. Fallstudie Deutsche Bahn AG

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Jänicke, N. T. (Project staff) & Hellmann, K. (Project staff)

    01.08.0230.04.03

    Project: Practical Project

  36. Ökologische Ökonomik Modellierung und konzeptionelle Fundierung am Beispiel von Beweidung in semi-ariden Gebieten

    Baumgärtner, S. (Project manager, academic) & Frank, K. (Project manager, academic)

    01.04.0430.09.07

    Project: Research

  37. BSC: Sustainability Balanced Scorecard

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Wagner, M. (Project staff), Hahn, T. (Project staff) & Figge, F. (Project staff)

    01.10.0031.12.02

    Project: Research

  38. INFERNUM: M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences - Infernum

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Wüst, S. (Project staff) & Sachs, B. (Project staff)

    27.03.00 → …

    Project: Transfer (professional training)

  39. EML-Symposium: 6th Environmental Management Leadership Symposium in Lueneburg: 21.03.10-23.03.10

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Harms, D. (Project staff) & Esders, M. (Project staff)

    11.03.1008.04.11

    Project: Scientific event

  40. EBEB: European Business Environmental Barometer

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Wagner, M. (Project staff), Dyllick, T. (Partner) & Ytterhus, B. (Project manager, academic)

    01.05.0128.02.02

    Project: Research

  41. Heupelletierung: Machbarkeitsstudie zur Pelletierung von Biomasse

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic) & Müller, J. (Project staff)

    01.07.0430.11.04

    Project: Practical Project

  42. AutoUni: Sustainability Management in the M.Sc. programme "Sustainable Mobility" of the Volkswagen AutoUni

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic) & Hasenmüller, P. (Project staff)

    01.07.0431.12.04

    Project: Transfer (professional training)

  43. INM: Instruments of Sustainability Management (ISM)

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Kleiber, O. (Project staff) & Müller, J. (Project staff)

    01.11.0131.05.02

    Project: Research

  44. BMU-Fachdialog: Fachdialog "Nachhaltigkeit in der Unternehmensberichterstattung"

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic) & Herzig, C. (Project staff)

    01.07.0431.12.04

    Project: Research

  45. Alumninetzwerk Nachhaltiges Wirtschaften in Lateinamerika

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic) & Klinke, T. (Project staff)

    18.04.0710.08.07

    Project: Other

  46. Ökonomische Folgen des Freizeitverhaltens im Wald: Grundlagen zur Umsetzung des neuen Waldgesetzes im Kanton Basel-Land

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Kleiber, O. (Project staff) & Jenni, L. (Project manager, academic)

    01.01.0031.12.02

    Project: Research

  47. AGF: Comparing Environmental Management and Strategies in the UK and Germany

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Wehrmeyer, W. (Project manager, academic) & Wagner, M. (Project staff)

    01.03.0101.12.01

    Project: Research

  48. EMA Links - Environmental Management Accounting and the Links between Different Levels of Decision-Making

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Hahn, T. (Project staff) & Burritt, R. (Project manager, academic)

    01.05.0031.03.02

    Project: Research

  49. Potenzial nachhaltig produzierten Camelina-Öls als Grundstoff für die Biokerosin-Produktion

    Schaltegger, S. (Project manager, academic), Klein, A.-M. (Project manager, academic) & Averdunk, K. (Project staff)

    30.04.1129.10.12

    Project: Transfer (R&D project)

  50. INNIG: Risk Culture: Communication and Representation of Risks Considering as Example Extreme Floods

    Heinrichs, H. (Project manager, academic) & Grunenberg, H. (Project manager, academic)

    01.02.0531.12.06

    Project: Research

  51. SAFECOAST : SAFECOAST: "The informed society". Analysis and strategy development for risk communication and coastal protection

    Heinrichs, H. (Project manager, academic), Grunenberg, H. (Project staff), Knolle, M. (Project staff) & Lüdecke, G. (Project staff)

    01.10.0631.03.08

    Project: Research

  52. F.B.E.Leuchtpol: Forschung.Beratung.Evaluation.Leuchtpol

    Stoltenberg, U. (Project manager, academic), Benoist, B. (Project staff), Kosler, T. (Project staff) & Moths, K. (Project staff)

    01.01.0931.12.12

    Project: Research