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. Published

    Nachhaltigkeitscontrolling: mehr als nur ein Konzept?

    Zvezdov, D. & Schaltegger, S., 2012, In: Controlling & Management. 56, 4, p. 2-4 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  2. Published

    Global assessment of the non-equilibrium concept in rangelands

    Wehrden, H. V., Hanspach, J., Kaczensky, P., Fischer, J. & Wesche, K., 03.2012, In: Ecological Applications. 22, 2, p. 393-399 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Mechanisms promoting tree species co-existence: Experimental evidence with saplings of subtropical forest ecosystems of China

    Lang, A. C., Härdtle, W., Baruffol, M., Böhnke, M., Bruelheide, H., Schmid, B., Von Wehrden, H. & Von Oheimb, G., 10.2012, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 23, 5, p. 837-846 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Multiscale performance of landscape metrics as indicators of species richness of plants, insects and vertebrates

    Schindler, S., von Wehrden, H., Poirazidis, K., Wrbka, T. & Kati, V., 08.2013, In: Ecological Indicators. 31, p. 41-48 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Pursuing Sustainability with the Balanced Scorecard: Between Shareholder Value and Multiple Goal Optimisation

    Hansen, E. G. & Schaltegger, S., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management. 35 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  6. Published

    Calculating the True Profitability of Pollution Prevention

    Schaltegger, S. & Müller, K., 1998, The Green Bottom Line: Environmental Accounting for Management. Current Practice and Future Trends. Bennett, M. & James, P. (eds.). Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing, p. 86-99 14 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Nonylphenol polyethoxylate degradation by means of electrocoagulation and electrochemical Fenton

    Martins, A. F., Wilde, M. L., Vasconcelos, T. G. & Henriques, D. M., 15.06.2006, In: Separation and Purification Technology. 50, 2, p. 249-255 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Semi-micro reflux procedure for minimization of chloride interference by COD determination.

    Martins, A. F., de Jesus, L. E. W., Vendruscolo, N., Vasconcelos, T. G. & Wilde, M. L., 25.01.2008, In: Clean - Soil, Air, Water. 36, 1, p. 66-69 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Rolling out Corporate Sustainability Accounting: A Set of Challenges

    Zvezdov, D., 01.12.2012, In: Journal of Environmental Sustainability. 2, 2, p. 19-28 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Corporate Sustainability Accounting: Beyond Unfreezing

    Zvezdov, D., 2012, In: Journal of the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Accountability. 18, 3, p. 181-198 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review