School of Sustainability
Organisational unit: Research School
- Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)
- Institute of Ecology
- Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research
- Institute of Sustainability Governance
- Institute of Sustainability Material Flows and Circularity
- Institute of Sustainability Psychology
- Institute of Sustainable Chemistry
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute (SESI)
- Sustainability Education and Transdisciplinary Research Institute
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.
- 2025
- Published
From consumers to pioneers: insights from thermal energy communities in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands
Herreras Martínez, S., Mesman, J., Sneum, D. M., Holstenkamp, L., Harmsen, R., Menkveld, M., Akerboom, S. & Faaij, A., 12.2025, In: Energy, Sustainability and Society. 15, 1, 31 p., 5.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
The multifaceted spectra of power − A participatory network analysis on power structures in diverse dryland regions
Olofsson, V., Garcia, M. M., Castro, A. J., Calderón, S. C., Diallo, A. H., Aceituno, A. J., López-Rodríguez, M. D., Gonzalez, T. S., Silvino, A. S. & Aguiar, A. P., 07.2025, In: Global Environmental Change. 92, 12 p., 102984.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Utilization of acid whey and oat pomace in succinic acid fermentation
Kleps, C., Malchow, R., Ettinger, J., Dalichow, J., Schneider, R., Venus, J. & Pleissner, D., 25.05.2025, In: New Biotechnology. 86, p. 31-38 8 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
The global distribution of authorship in economics journals
Aigner, E., Greenspon, J. & Rodrik, D., 01.05.2025, In: World Development. 189, 18 p., 106926.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Assessment of genetic diversity among seed transfer zones for multiple grassland plant species across Germany
Durka, W., Michalski, S. G., Höfner, J., Bucharova, A., Kolář, F., Müller, C. M., Oberprieler, C., Šemberová, K., Bauer, M., Bernt, M., Bleeker, W., Brändel, S., Bucher, S. F., Eibes, P. M., Ewald, M., Goldberg, R., Grant, K., Haider, S., Harpke, A., Haun, F., Kaufmann, R., Korell, L., Kunzmann, D., Lauterbach, D., Leib, S., Lenzewski, N., Loritz, H., Madaj, A. M., Mainz, A. K., Meinecke, P., Mertens, H., Meyer, M. H., Musche, M., Ristow, M., Rosche, C., Roscher, C., Rutte, D., Schacherer, A., Schmidt, W., Schmoldt, J., Schneider, S., Schwarz, J. H., Skowronek, S., Socher, S. A., Stanik, N., Twerski, A., Weiß, K., Weiß, M., Wille, A., Zehm, A. & Zidorn, C., 05.2025, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 84, p. 50-60 11 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Intellectual humility links to metacognitive ability
Fischer, H., Kause, A. & Huff, M., 05.2025, In: Personality and Individual Differences. 238, 7 p., 113028.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Biosphere Reserves as catalysts for sustainability transformations: five strategies to support place-based innovation
Dabard, C. H., Mann, C. & Martín-López, B., 01.04.2025, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 73, 6 p., 101508.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Green chemistry and sustainable chemistry related to water challenges: Solutions and prospects in a changing climate
Mahjoub, B., Fersi, C., Bouteffeha, M. & Kümmerer, K., 01.04.2025, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 52, 11 p., 101000.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- Published
Ancestral cuisine as regenerative social technologies in Amazon: eco-humanist perspectives towards a critical sustainable chemistry
Zonta, A. L. & Zuin, V. G., 04.2025, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 52, 7 p., 101006.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Creating curricula for competence: Findings from a comparison of three sustainability graduate programs
Birdman, J. & Lang, D. J., 29.03.2025, North American and European Perspectives on Sustainability in Higher Education.. Filho, W. L., Newman, J., Salvia, A. L., Trevisan, L. V. & Corazza, L. (eds.). Cham: Springer, (World Sustainability Series).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
How, when and why do negotiators use reference points? A qualitative interview study with negotiation practitioners
Mann, M., Trötschel, R., Warsitzka, M. & Hüffmeier, J., 20.03.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: International Journal of Conflict Management. 33 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Enhancing the transformative potential of sustainability innovations: An application of the values-rules-knowledge framework
Dabard, C. H., Mann, C. & Martín-López, B., 13.03.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Ambio. 17 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Einstieg in die chemische Reaktion – inklusiv und kontextorientiert
Hüfner, S., Sander, H., Frey, F., List, F., Brodhun, F., Hartmann, A., Schneide, O., Stanze, C. & Abels, S., 11.03.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: ChemKon. 2025, 8 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Transfer › peer-review
- Published
Tropical forests in the Americas are changing too slowly to track climate change
Author Collaboration "Tropical forests in the Americas are changing too slowly to track climate change", Aguirre-Gutiérrez, J., Díaz, S., Rifai, S. W., Corral-Rivas, J. J. & Klipel, J., 07.03.2025, In: Science (New York, N.Y.). 387, 6738, p. eadl5414Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Mostly harmless econometrics? Statistical paradigms in the ‘top five’ from 2000 to 2018
Engler, J. O., Beeck, J. J. & von Wehrden, H., 03.03.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Economic Methodology.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Is Russian gas still needed in the European Union? Model-based analysis of long-term scenarios
Barner, L., Holz, F., von Hirschhausen, C. & Kemfert, C., 01.03.2025, In: Energy Strategy Reviews. 58, 10 p., 101646.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Temporal variability in native plant composition clouds impact of increasing non-native richness along elevational gradients in Tenerife
Buhaly, M., Ratier Backes, A., Arévalo, J. R. & Haider, S., 01.03.2025, In: Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 66, 10 p., 125845.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
The complex spatio-temporal dynamics of organic micropollutants in tidal rivers
Schneider, J. R. L., Kümmerer, K., Logemann, J. & Radke, M., 01.03.2025, In: Chemosphere. 373, 10 p., 144180.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Trade-offs for healthy and sustainable diets in Europe: Social-ecological dynamics in an intensive agricultural system
Jiménez-Aceituno, A., López-Rodríguez, M. D., Castro, A. J., Cortés-Calderón, S., Collste, D., Aparicio, G., Rölfer, L., Bote, M. A., Marín, L. M. R., Gómez-Tenorio, M. Á. & González-Martín, B., 01.03.2025, In: Global Food Security. 44, 21 p., 100829.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Alcohol use and drinking motives across five countries: a post-COVID-19 pandemic update
Rupprecht, J., Spitzweck, B., Oettingen, G. & Sevincer, A. T., 03.2025, In: American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. 51, 1, p. 85-95 11 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Chagga women´s connections with nature: fostering relationality through arts-based methods
Pearson, J., Massawe, J. J., Mbaruku, A. P., Mramba, E. I., Mwampamba, T. H. & Martín-López, B., 03.2025, In: Ecosystems and People. 21, 1, 21 p., 2459108.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Correction to: “We cannot escape this”: discussing leverage points for sustainability across scales with the example of Ouvéa, Kanaky New Caledonia (Regional Environmental Change, (2024), 24, 4, (146), 10.1007/s10113-024-02290-9)
Riechers, M., Baumann, L., Braun, M., Ganachaud, A., Heeg, P. & Sabinot, C., 03.2025, In: Regional Environmental Change. 25, 1, 2 p., 8.Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- Published
Exploring priority and year effects on plant diversity, productivity and vertical root distribution: first insights from a grassland field experiment
Alonso-Crespo, I. M., Temperton, V., Fichtner, A., Niemeyer, T., Schloter, M. & Delory, B., 03.2025, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 36, 2, 41 p., e70026.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
From the environmental state to the sustainability state? Conceptualization, indicators, and examples
Rose, M., 03.2025, In: Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy. 21, 1, 16 p., 2463188.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Interactive effects of nitrogen deposition and climate change on a globally rare forest geophyte
Ohse, B., Jansen, D., Härdtle, W. & Fichtner, A., 03.2025, In: Plant Biology. 27, 2, p. 297-309 13 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
More than food production: Assemblages of values underpinning women-led agroecological initiatives
Vizuete, B., Groß, M., García-Llorente, M., Oteros-Rozas, E. & Martín-López, B., 03.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 3, p. 684-699 16 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Towards a global understanding of tree mortality
International Tree Mortality Network, Senf, C., Esquivel-Muelbert, A., Pugh, T. A. M. & Klipel, J., 03.2025, In: New Phytologist. 245, 6, p. 2377-2392 16 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- Published
Tree diversity increases forest temperature buffering via enhancing canopy density and structural diversity
Schnabel, F., Beugnon, R., Yang, B., Richter, R., Eisenhauer, N., Huang, Y., Liu, X., Wirth, C., Cesarz, S., Fichtner, A., Perles-García, M. D., Hähn, G., Härdtle, W., Kunz, M., Castro-Izaguirre, N., Niklaus, P. A., von Oheimb, G., Schmid, B., Trogisch, S., Wendisch, M., Ma, K. & Bruelheide, H., 03.2025, In: Ecology Letters. 28, 3, p. 1-11 11 p., e70096.Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- Published
Values-based barriers and good practices in sustainability-oriented innovation management
Ivanov, K., 03.2025, In: Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. 32, 2, p. 1393-1411 19 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- E-pub ahead of print
The Role of Individual Beliefs for Corporate Sustainability Transformations
Buhr, M. & Weissbrod, I., 28.02.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility. 27 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Temporal changes in taxonomic and functional alpha and beta diversity across tree communities in subtropical Atlantic forests
Freitag Kramer, J. M., Bordin, K. M., Bergamin, R. S., Klipel, J., Picolotto, R. C., Zanini, K. J., Zwiener, V. P. & Müller, S. C., 25.02.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Oikos. 15 p., e10961.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Key learnings from integrating sustainability in european higher education institutions: The value of networks and reflective leadership
Weiss, M., Mulà, I., Zimmermann, A. B. & Diethart, M., 20.02.2025, The Routledge Handbook of Global Sustainability Education and Thinking for the 21st Century. John, M. (ed.). Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 918-933 16 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
Accelerating the industrial transition with safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD)
Soeteman-Hernández, L. G., Tickner, J. A., Dierckx, A., Kümmerer, K., Apel, C. & Strömberg, E., 17.02.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: RSC Sustainability. 7 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- E-pub ahead of print
Discussion on the validity of commonly used reliability indices in sports medicine and exercise science: a critical review with data simulations
Warneke, K., Gronwald, T., Wallot, S., Magno, A., Hillebrecht, M. & Wirth, K., 13.02.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: European Journal of Applied Physiology. 16 p., e0216065.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
- E-pub ahead of print
Social perceptions of carnivores across the globe – a literature review
Newsom, A., Lozano, J. & Martín-López, B., 09.02.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 24 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- E-pub ahead of print
How to promote spider diversity of heathlands: impact of management intensity
Matevski, D., Temperton, V. M., Walmsley, D., Haerdtle, W., Daniels, J. & Boutaud, E., 07.02.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 2025, 14 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Eco-pharma dilemma: Navigating environmental sustainability trade-offs within the lifecycle of pharmaceuticals – A comment
Moermond, C. T. A., Puhlmann, N., Pieters, L., Matharu, A., Boone, L., Dobbelaere, M., Proquin, H., Kümmerer, K., Ragas, A. M. J., Vidaurre, R., Venhuis, B. & De Smedt, D., 01.02.2025, In: Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy. 43, 10 p., 101893.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Framing resilience: Post-disaster communication in Aotearoa-New Zealand
Buelow, F., Brower, A. & Cradock-Henry, N., 01.02.2025, In: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 117, 13 p., 105167.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Political embedding of climate assemblies. How effective strategies for policy impact depend on context
Pfeffer, J. & Newig, J., 01.02.2025, In: Environmental Science and Policy. 164, 11 p., 103993.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Dichotomy or continuum? A global review of the interaction between autonomous and planned adaptations
Maskell, G., Shukla, R., Jagannathan, K., Browne, K., Ulibarri, N., Campbell, D., Franz, C. P., Grady, C., Joe, E. T., Kirchhoff, C. J., Madhavan, M., Michaud, L., Sharma, S., Singh, C., Orlove, B., Alverio, G. N., Ajibade, I., Bowen, K. J., Chauhan, N., Galappaththi, E. K., Hudson, A. J., Mach, K. J., Musah-Surugu, J. I., Petzold, J., Reckien, D., Schauberger, B., Segnon, A. C., van Bavel, B. & Gornott, C., 02.2025, In: Ecology and Society. 30, 1, 39 p., 18.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Ecosystem service supply and (in)equality archetypes
Benra, F., Pacheco-Romero, M. & Fischer, J., 02.2025, In: Ecosystem Services. 71, 11 p., 101683.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities
Author Collaboration of "Global decoupling of functional and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities", Hähn, G. J. A., Damasceno, G., Alvarez-Davila, E., Aubin, I., Bauters, M., Bergmeier, E. & Haider, S., 02.2025, In: Nature Ecology & Evolution. 9, 2, p. 237-248 12 p., e12976.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Green Extraction and NMR Analysis of Bioactives from Orange Juice Waste
Penteado, P. S., Leal, M. C. B. D. M., Carosio, M. G. A., dos Santos, A., Segatto, M. L., Pavarini, D. P., da Silva, D. F., Amaral, J. C., da Silva, M. F. D. G. F., Zuin Zeidler, V. G. & Ferreira, A. G., 02.2025, In: Foods. 14, 4, 14 p., 642.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Mental contrasting and conflict management in satisfied and unsatisfied romantic relationships
Jöhnk, H., Sevincer, A. T. & Oettingen, G., 02.2025, In: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 42, 2, p. 367-391 25 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Transformation towards the sustainable management of peatlands: A characterisation of farmers in the Teufelsmoor, Germany
Hünnebeck-Wells, A., Loos, J., Abel, S. & Nordt, A., 02.2025, In: People and Nature. 7, 2, p. 346-359 14 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Correction to: Tourists’ valuation of nature in protected areas: A systematic review (Ambio, (2023), 52, 6, (1065-1084), 10.1007/s13280-023-01845-0)
Gross, M., Pearson, J., Arbieu, U., Riechers, M., Thomsen, S. & Martín-López, B., 30.01.2025, In: Ambio. 54, p. 756-757 2 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Comments / Debate / Reports › Research
- E-pub ahead of print
Investigating values and environmental attitudes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Detjen, L., Schröder, S., Schwenck, M., Summa, J., Schreiber, J. & von Wehrden, H., 20.01.2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. 15 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Cybermobbing, Hatespeech, Sexting und Cybergrooming. Online-Interaktionsrisiken von Kindern und Jugendlichen aus psychologischer Sicht
Paschel, F., Schultz, M., Salisch, M. & Pfetsch, J., 16.01.2025, Weinheim: Beltz Juventa Verlag. 212 p.Research output: Books and anthologies › Book
- Published
Fruit Detection and Yield Mass Estimation from a UAV Based RGB Dense Cloud for an Apple Orchard
Hobart, M., Pflanz, M., Tsoulias, N., Weltzien, C., Kopetzky, M. & Schirrmann, M., 16.01.2025, In: Drones. 9, 1, 19 p., 60.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
- Published
Inventing a secure future: material stewardship as chemistry's mission for sustainability
Matlin, S. A., Cornell, S. E., Kümmerer, K., Mahaffy, P. G. & Mehta, G., 14.01.2025, In: RSC Sustainability. 3, 2, p. 804-821 18 p., d4su00576g.Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research