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. 2024
  2. Published

    Widening global variability in grassland biomass since the 1980s

    MacDougall, A. S., Esch, E., Chen, Q., Carroll, O., Bonner, C., Ohlert, T., Siewert, M., Sulik, J., Schweiger, A., Borer, E. T., Naidu, D., Bagchi, S., Hautier, Y., Wilfahrt, P., Larson, K., Olofsson, J., Cleland, E., Muthukrishnan, R., O’Halloran, L., Alberti, J., Anderson, T. M., Arnillas, C. A., Bakker, J. D., Barrio, I. C., Biederman, L., Boughton, E. H., Brudvig, L. A., Bruschetti, M., Buckley, Y., Bugalho, M. N., Cadotte, M. W., Caldeira, M. C., Catford, J. A., D’Antonio, C., Davies, K., Daleo, P., Dickman, C. R., Donohue, I., DuPre, M. E., Elgersma, K., Eisenhauer, N., Eskelinen, A., Estrada, C., Fay, P. A., Feng, Y., Gruner, D. S., Hagenah, N., Haider, S., Harpole, W. S. & Hersch-Green, E., 10.2024, In: Nature Ecology and Evolution. 8, 10, p. 1877-1888 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    The safe-and-sustainable-by-design concept: innovating towards a more sustainable future

    Soeteman-Hernández, L. G., Apel, C., Nowack, B., Sudheshwar, A., Som, C., Huttunen-Saarivirta, E., Tenhunen-Lunkka, A., Scheper, J., Falk, A., Valsami-Jones, E., Rocca, C., Brennan, M., Igartua, A., Mendoza, G., Midander, K., Strömberg, E. & Kümmerer, K., 24.09.2024, In: Environmental Sustainability. 7, 3, p. 363-368 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Citizen Science-Based Monitoring of Cavity-Nesting Wild Bees and Wasps – Benefits for Volunteers, Insects, and Ecological Science

    Lindermann, L., Grabener, S., Hellwig, N., Stahl, J. & Dieker, P., 04.09.2024, In: Citizen Science: Theory and Practice. 9, 1, 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published
  6. Published

    Biological measures to recover nitrogen compounds from liquid and solid streams

    Thielemann, A. K., Händel, N., Siddiqui, S. A., Aganovic, K., Kießling, M., Terjung, N., Smetana, S. & Pleißner, D., 01.09.2024, In: Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment. 7, 6 p., 100136.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Ein Recht auf Zeit: Zeit als Ressource

    Bertram, A., 01.09.2024, In: Juridikum : Zeitschrift für Kritik - Recht - Gesellschaft. 2024, 3, p. 364 373 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  8. Published

    From rebound to reinforcement effects. The role of analyzing underlying mechanisms for accounting

    Schaltegger, S., Amend, C. & Wüst, S., 01.09.2024, In: Journal of Sustainable Finance and Accounting. 3, 10 p., 100014.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Institutional arrangements and sustainable maintenance management of community-based mini-grids in Tanzania

    Ngoti, I. F., 01.09.2024, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 115, 10 p., 103632.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    One Fits Them All? Metaphors in Multilingual Biology Classes

    Sowinski, R. & Abels, S., 01.09.2024, Connecting Science Education with Cultural Heritage: Proceedings of the ESERA 2023 Conference. Kaya, G., Sardag, M. & Gul, K. (eds.). Oxford: European Science Education Research Association, Vol. 3. p. 246-256 11 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    Why gender matters for addressing chemical pollution

    Wang, M., Balayannis, A., Rother, H. A., Hemmati, M., Holthaus, A. & Zuin Zeidler, V., 01.09.2024, In: The Lancet Planetary Health. 8, 9, 1 p., e611.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  12. Published

    Contributing to sustainable development pathways in the South Pacific through transdisciplinary research: Conference report

    Riechers, M., Baumann, L., Braun, M., Carew, A., Chinappa, M., Dehm, J., Ganachaud, A., Holland, E., Kelsey, H., Lal, S., Landemard, M., Rocle, N. & Stockwell, B. L., 09.2024, In: Marine Policy. 167, 3 p., 106124.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  13. Published

    Sustainable human resource management and job satisfaction—Unlocking the power of organizational identification: A cross-cultural perspective from 54 countries

    CSREM 2024 - Sustainable human resource management and job satisfaction & Wojtczuk-Turek, A., 09.2024, In: Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. 31, 5, p. 4910-4932 23 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    The role of tree crown on the performance of trees at individual and community levels: whole-phenotypic context matters

    Klipel, J., da Cunha Morales, D., Bordin, K. M., Picolotto, R. C., Scarton Bergamin, R. & Müller, S. C., 09.2024, In: Plant Ecology. 225, 9, p. 907-918 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    The social–ecological ladder of restoration ambition

    Frietsch, M., Pacheco-Romero, M., Temperton, V. M., Kaplin, B. A. & Fischer, J., 09.2024, In: Ambio. 53, 9, p. 1251-1261 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Unveiling the Bounty: A Systematic Synthesis of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Mediterranean Lentil and Chickpea Cultivation Through Alternative Pulse Systems

    Vollheyde, A. L., Cebrián-Piqueras, M. & von Haaren, C., 09.2024, In: Legume Science. 6, 3, 20 p., e246.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  17. Published

    Reallabor versus Realexperiment: Was macht den Unterschied?

    Parodi, O., Ober, S., Lang, D. J. & Albiez, M., 26.08.2024, In: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 33, 2, p. 216-221 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  18. Published

    Nachbarschafts-Artenvielfalt kann trockenheitsbedingte Zuwachseinbußen bei Bäumen mindern

    Härdtle, W. & Fichtner, A., 23.08.2024, Berichte der Reinhold-Tüxen-Gesellschaft. Stojakowits, P. (ed.). München: AVM Akademische Verlagsgemeinschaft, Vol. 32. p. 119-131 13 p. (Berichte der Reinhold-Tüxen-Gesellschaft; vol. 32).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Digitale Kontaktnachverfolgung bei Infektionskrankheiten: Projektstudie ZIL-Kontakt

    Drews, P., Funk, B., Heger, J., Lehr, D., Zimmer, M. P. & Lemmer, K., 22.08.2024, Lüneburg: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, 25 p.

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsTransfer

  20. Published

    Promoting neighbourhood sharing: infrastructures of convenience and community

    Huber, A., Heinrichs, H. & Jäger-Erben, M., 22.08.2024, In: Buildings and Cities. 5, 1, p. 349-367 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  21. Published

    Zeit als Ressource im Recht

    Bertram, A., 20.08.2024, Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG. 362 p. (Fundamenta Juridica)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  22. Published

    LFB-Labs-digital: Schülerlabore als Ort der Lehrkräftefortbildung in der digitalen Welt: Ein Bericht zur Konzeption eines Verbundprojektes

    Kirchhoff, T., Schwedler, S., Abels, S., Acher, A., Anselmetti, D., Besa, K.-S., Biehl, J., Blumberg, E., Breiter, A., Brückmann, M., Büntemeyer, D., Tegani, M. E., Engelhardt, A., Grotjohann, N., Kiel, C., Kleine, M., Koerber, R., Lambrecht, M., Lehmenkühler, A., Meyer, D., Mußhoff, A., Panhorst, M., Peperkorn, C., Röllke, K., Roth, J., Schäfers, M. S., Schüler, H., Stinken-Rösner, L., Strauß, S., Stricker, J., Temmen, K., Tönsing, K., Verständig, D., Wegner, C., Wellensiek, N., Wenzel, A., Wördemann, D., Ziegler, M., Heinrich, M. & Wilde, M., 19.08.2024, In: PFLB - Zeitschrift für Schul- und Professionsentwicklung. 6, 1, p. 130-155 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  23. Published

    Safe-and-sustainable-by-design roadmap: identifying research, competencies, and knowledge sharing needs

    Apel, C., Sudheshwar, A., Kümmerer, K., Nowack, B., Midander, K., Strömberg, E. & Soeteman-Hernández, L. G., 19.08.2024, In: RSC Sustainability. 2, 10, p. 2833-2838 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  24. Published

    Cradle-to-cradle business model tool: Innovating circular business models for startups

    Hoang, K. M. & Böckel, A., 15.08.2024, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 467, 13 p., 142949.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    What explains the performance of participatory governance?

    Jager, N. W. & Newig, J., 09.08.2024, Pathways to Positive Public Administration: An International Perspective. Lucas, P., Nabatchi, T., O'Flynn, J. & Hart, P. (eds.). Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 165-186 22 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  26. Published

    Disentangling associations of human wellbeing with green infrastructure, degree of urbanity, and social factors around an Asian megacity

    Thapa, P., Torralba, M., Nölke, N., Chowdhury, K., Nagendra, H. & Plieninger, T., 08.08.2024, In: Landscape Ecology. 39, 8, 20 p., 152.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Dating the Neanderthal environment: Detailed luminescence chronology of a palaeochannel sediment core at the Palaeolithic site of Lichtenberg in the Lower Saxony, northern Germany

    Rahimzadeh, N., Hein, M., Urban, B., Weiss, M., Tanner, D. C., Khosravichenar, A., Tsukamoto, S. & Lauer, T., 01.08.2024, In: Quaternary Geochronology. 83, 10 p., 101564.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Enhancing the transformative potential of interventions for the sustainable use of natural resources

    Loos, J., Cortés-Capano, G., Riechers, M., Walsh, C. & Leventon, J., 01.08.2024, In: Biological Conservation. 296, 10 p., 110691.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  29. Published

    Expanding the pie or spoiling the cake? How the number of negotiation issues affects integrative bargaining

    Warsitzka, M., Zhang, H., Beersma, B., Freund, P. A. & Trötschel, R., 01.08.2024, In: Journal of Applied Psychology. 109, 8, p. 1224-1249 26 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral strategies for psychological detachment: Comparing effectiveness and mechanisms of change

    Reis, D., Hart, A., Krautter, K., Prestele, E., Lehr, D. & Friese, M., 01.08.2024, In: Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 29, 4, p. 258-279 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Provisions for nullification of conservation and management measures in RFMO objection procedures

    Schatz, V., 01.08.2024, In: Marine Policy. 166, 10 p., 106230.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Carnivores’ contributions to people in Europe

    Palacios-Pacheco, S., Martín-López, B., Expósito-Granados, M., Requena-Mullor, J. M., Lozano, J., Sánchez-Zapata, J. A., Morales-Reyes, Z. & Castro, A. J., 08.2024, In: Ecology and Society. 29, 3, 9.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Determination and risk assessment of UV filters and benzotriazole UV stabilizers in wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant in Lüneburg, Germany

    Ajibola, A. S., Reich, M. & Kümmerer, K., 08.2024, In: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 196, 8, 19 p., 725.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Disentangling gender and social difference for just and transformative biocultural approaches

    Díaz-Reviriego, I., Torralba, M., Vizuete, B., Ortiz-Przychodzka, S., Pearson, J., Heindorf, C., LLanque Zonta, A. & Oteros-Rozas, E., 08.2024, In: People and Nature. 6, 4, p. 1394-1406 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  35. Published

    For the good of the people: establishing public value creation as an objective for sustainable entrepreneurship policy

    Corredor Jimenez, J., Norris, S. & Gebhardt, L., 08.2024, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 16, 2, p. 242-261 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Mainstreaming regenerative dynamics for sustainability

    Fischer, J., Farny, S., Abson, D. J., Zuin Zeidler, V., von Salisch, M., Schaltegger, S., Martín-López, B., Temperton, V. M. & Kümmerer, K., 08.2024, In: Nature Sustainability. 7, 8, p. 964–972 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    The importance of understanding the multiple dimensions of power in stakeholder participation for effective biodiversity conservation

    Lécuyer, L., Balian, E. V., Butler, J. R. A., Barnaud, C., Calla, S., Locatelli, B., Newig, J., Pettit, J., Pound, D., Quétier, F. F., Salvatori, V., Von Korff, Y. & Young, J. C., 08.2024, In: People and Nature. 6, 4, p. 1407-1420 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  38. Published

    The urgent need for designing greener drugs

    Brodin, T., Bertram, M. G., Arnold, K. E., Boxall, A. B. A., Brooks, B. W., Cerveny, D., Jörg, M., Kidd, K. A., Lertxundi, U., Martin, J. M., May, L. T., McCallum, E. S., Michelangeli, M., Tyler, C. R., Wong, B. B. M., Kümmerer, K. & Orive, G., 08.2024, In: Nature Sustainability. 7, 8, p. 949-951 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  39. Published

    The elephant in the room: How do we regulate gas transportation infrastructure as gas demand declines?

    Rosenow, J., Lowes, R. & Kemfert, C., 19.07.2024, In: One Earth. 7, 7, p. 1158-1161 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  40. Published

    Institutional rearrangements in the north Luangwa ecosystem: Implications of a shift to community based natural resource management for equity in protected area governance

    Kachali, R. N., Dawson, N. M. & Loos, J., 15.07.2024, In: Heliyon. 10, 13, 12 p., e33549.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Opting Out of unclos Tribunals: The Impact of Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean (Somalia v. Kenya)

    Benatar, M. & Schatz, V. J., 15.07.2024, In: Portuguese Yearbook of the Law of the Sea. 1, 1, p. 117-134 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Assessing Drifting Fish Aggregating Device (dFAD) Abandonment under International Marine Pollution Law

    Schatz, V., 01.07.2024, In: Transnational Environmental Law. 13, 2, p. 243-263 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Biodegradation of Flavonoids – Influences of structural features

    Schnarr, L., Olsson, O. & Kümmerer, K., 01.07.2024, In: Chemosphere. 359, 11 p., 142234.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Design of greener drugs: aligning parameters in pharmaceutical R&D and drivers for environmental impact

    Vidaurre, R., Bramke, I., Puhlmann, N., Owen, S. F., Angst, D., Moermond, C., Venhuis, B., Lombardo, A., Kümmerer, K., Sikanen, T., Ryan, J., Häner, A., Janer, G., Roggo, S. & Perkins, A. N., 01.07.2024, In: Drug Discovery Today. 29, 7, 10 p., 104022.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  45. Published

    Land use modulates resistance of grasslands against future climate and inter-annual climate variability in a large field experiment

    Korell, L., Andrzejak, M., Berger, S., Durka, W., Haider, S., Hensen, I., Herion, Y., Höfner, J., Kindermann, L., Klotz, S., Knight, T. M., Linstädter, A., Madaj, A. M., Merbach, I., Michalski, S., Plos, C., Roscher, C., Schädler, M., Welk, E. & Auge, H., 01.07.2024, In: Global Change Biology. 30, 7, 16 p., e17418.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Taxonomic and functional changes in mountain meadow communities four years after transplantation to a lowland environment

    Haider, S., Schaub, C. & Lachmuth, S., 01.07.2024, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 35, 4, 16 p., e13280.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    The effect of neighbor species' phylogenetic and trait difference on tree growth in subtropical forests

    Klipel, J., Bergamin, R. S., Bordin, K. M., Picolotto, R. C., Müller, S. C. & de Bello, F., 01.07.2024, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 35, 4, 11 p., e13296.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    A systematic review of peer-reviewed gender literature in sustainability science

    Frank, E., Mühlhaus, R., Mustelin, K. M., Trilken, E. L., Kreuz, N. K., Bowes, L. C., Backer, L. M. & von Wehrden, H., 07.2024, In: Sustainability Science. 19, 4, p. 1459-1480 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  49. Published

    Die Institutionalisierung von Klimaräten durch Klimaschutzgesetzgebung

    Schatz, V., Newig, J. & Pfeffer, J., 07.2024, In: Natur und Recht. 46, 7, p. 433-442 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Embodying relationality through immersive sustainability solutions with Indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon

    Polheim, A., Manuel-Navarrete, D., Goebel, J. & Loos, J., 07.2024, In: Sustainability Science. 19, 4, p. 1445-1457 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Evidence for regional-scale declines in carabid beetles in old lowland beech forests following a period of severe drought

    Weiss, F., Winter, S., Pflugmacher, D., Kolling, T. & Linde, A., 07.2024, In: Landscape Ecology. 39, 7, 19 p., 123.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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