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. 2015
  2. Published

    Was wir noch zu sagen hätten - Briefe an unsere Leserinnen und Leser

    Defila, R., Di Giulio, A., Fischer, D., Gölz, S., Kaufmann-Hayoz, R. & Schäfer, M., 2015, Transdisziplinär forschen - zwischen Ideal und gelebter Praxis: Hotspots, Geschichten, Wirkungen. Defila, R. & Di Giulio, A. (eds.). Frankfurt: Campus Verlag, p. 331–341 11 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  3. Published

    Weitblick statt Glaskugel? Vom souveränen Umgang mit Trends

    Schmitt-Sattelberg, A., 2015, Nachhaltige Unternehmensentwicklung im Mittelstand: Mit Innovationskraft zukunftsfähig wirtschaften. Petersen, H. & Schaltegger, S. (eds.). München: Oekom Verlag, p. 37-56 20 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransfer

  4. Published

    Welche kognitiven Fähigkeiten von jungen Kindern sagen ihre Fortschritte beim Wissen über Emotionen voraus?

    von Salisch, M., Klinkhammer, J. & Hänel, M., 2015, Entwicklung und Förderung in der frühen Kindheit: Interdisziplinäre Perspektiven. Cloos, P., Koch, K. & Mähler, C. (eds.). Weinheim: Beltz Juventa Verlag, p. 115 - 132 18 p.

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

  5. Published

    Welches Produkt ist nachhaltig?

    Petersen, H., 2015, Nachhaltige Unternehmensentwicklung im Mittelstand: Mit Innovationskraft zukunftsfähig wirtschaften. Petersen, H. & Schaltegger, S. (eds.). München: Oekom Verlag, p. 91-107 17 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransfer

  6. Published

    Well-being and Prosperity beyond Growth: Discursive Struggles in the German Enquete Commission on Growth, Prosperity and Quality of Life

    Soetebeer, I., 2015, In: GAIA. 24, 3, p. 179-187 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Weltaktionsprogramm "Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung"

    Michelsen, G. & Kruse-Graumann, L., 2015, Gesucht: Weltumweltpolitik: Herausforderungen im Anthropozän. Simonis, U. E., Leitschuh, H., Michelsen, G., Sommer, J. & Weizsäcker, E. U. V. (eds.). Stuttgart: S. Hirzel Verlag, p. 199-205 7 p. (Jahrbuch Ökologie; vol. 2016).

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

  8. Published
  9. Published

    Wirksamkeit eines internet- und smartphone-basierten Dankbarkeitstrainings zur Verbesserung der gedanklichen Distanzierung – Sekundäranalyse einer randomisiert-kontrollierten Studie

    Lehr, D., Freund, H., Ebert, D. D., Berking, M., Riper, H. & Sieland, B., 2015, Menschen Medien Möglichkeiten: 9. Fachgruppentagung Arbeits-, Organisations- und Wirtschaftspsychologie der DGPs in Mainz, Abstracts. Rigotti, T., Haun, V. C. & Dormann, C. (eds.). Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers, p. 88-89 2 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsTransfer

  10. Published

    Wirksamkeit und Kosteneffektivität eines Online-Trainings zur Reduktion riskanten Alkoholkonsums bei Erwerbstätigen: Ergebnisse einer drei-armigen randomisiert-kontrollierten Studie

    Boß, L., Lehr, D., Berking, M., Riper, H. & Ebert, D. D., 2015, Menschen – Medien – Möglichkeiten: 9. Fachgruppentagung Arbeits-, Organisations- und Wirtschaftspsychologie der DGPs in Mainz, Abstracts. Rigotti, T., Haun, V. C. & Dormann, C. (eds.). Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers, p. 90-91 2 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksPublished abstract in conference proceedingsTransfer

  11. Published

    Worldwide Trends in Green Chemistry Education

    Zuin, V. (Editor) & Mammino, L. (Editor), 2015, 1st ed. ed. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry. 347 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  12. Published

    Zwecke von betrieblichen Umweltinformationssystemen im Rahmen einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung

    Moeller, A., 2015, 45. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft f�r Informatik - INFORMATIK 2015: Informatik, Energie und Umwelt, Proceedings. Cunningham, D. W., Hofstedt, P., Schmitt, I. & Meer, K. (eds.). Bonn: Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V., p. 281-290 10 p. (Lecture Notes in Informatics (LNI), Proceedings - Series of the Gesellschaft fur Informatik (GI); vol. 246).

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

  13. 2014
  14. Published

    An EU law perspective on the role of regional authorities in the field of renewable energy

    Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T., 26.12.2014, Renewable Energy Law in the EU: Legal Perspectives on Bottom-up Approaches. Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 10-32 23 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  15. Published

    Legal aspects of local engagement: Land planning and citizens‘ financial participation in wind energy projects

    Maly, C., 26.12.2014, Renewable Energy Law in the EU: Legal Perspectives on Bottom Up Approaches. Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 210-231 22 p. (New horizons in environmental and energy law).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  16. Published

    Regional renewable energy: A string of legal and financial challenges

    Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T., 26.12.2014, Renewable Energy Law in the EU: Legal Perspectives on Bottom-up Approaches. Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 281-316 36 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  17. Published

    Regional renewable energy approaches: An introduction to exploring legal barriers and opportunities

    Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T., 26.12.2014, Renewable Energy Law in the EU: Legal Perspectives on Bottom-up Approaches. Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 3-9 7 p.

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

  18. Published

    Renewable Energy Law in the EU: Legal Perspectives on Bottom-Up Approaches

    Peeters, M. (Editor) & Schomerus, T. (Editor), 26.12.2014, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. 336 p. (New horizons in environmental and energy law)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  19. Published

    Stabilizing the grid with regional virtual power plants

    Meister, M., 26.12.2014, Renewable Energy Law In The EU: Legal Perspectives on Bottom Up Approaches. Peeters, M. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 99-120 22 p. (New horizons in environmental and energy law).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  20. Published

    Applying Stakeholder Theory in Sustainability Management: Links, Similarities, Dissimilarities, and a Conceptual Framework

    Hörisch, J., Freeman, R. E. & Schaltegger, S., 19.12.2014, In: Organization & Environment. 27, 4, p. 328-346 19 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Dynamik der Energiewende erhalten und erweitern

    Schomerus, T., Hansen, E. G. & Lechtenböhmer, S., 19.12.2014, In: GAIA. 23, 4, p. 353-355 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  22. Published

    Lebensweltgestaltung junger Frauen mit türkischem Migrationshintergrund in der dritten Generation : "Mama, erzähl mir neue Sachen, deine sind schon veraltet"

    Bülbül-Emanet, S., 18.12.2014, Wiesbaden: Springer VS. 199 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  23. Published
  24. Published

    Does forest continuity enhance the resilience of trees to environmental change?

    Oheimb, G., Härdtle, W., Eckstein, D., Engelke, H.-H., Hehnke, T., Wagner, B. & Fichtner, A., 10.12.2014, In: PLoS ONE. 9, 12, 18 p., e113507.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Accounting for Sustainability in Production and Supply Chains: Editorial

    Burritt, R. & Schaltegger, S., 01.12.2014, In: The British Accounting Review. 46, 4, p. 323-326 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsOther (editorial matter etc.)Research

  26. Published

    Accounting towards Sustainability in Production and Supply Chains

    Burritt, R. & Schaltegger, S., 01.12.2014, In: The British Accounting Review. 46, 4, p. 327-343 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Ammonia volatilization after application of urea to winter wheat over 3 years affected by novel urease and nitrification inhibitors

    Ni, K., Pacholski, A. S. & Kage, H., 01.12.2014, In: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 197, p. 184-194 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Brominated flame retardants and Dechloranes in European and American eels from glass to silver life stages

    Sühring, R., Byer, J. D., Freese, M., Pohlmann, J. D., Wolschke, H., Möller, A., Hodson, P. V., Alaee, M., Hanel, R. & Ebinghaus, R., 01.12.2014, In: Chemosphere. 116, p. 104-111 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Bush encroachment control and risk management in semi-arid rangelands

    Lukomska, N., Quaas, M. F. & Baumgärtner, S., 01.12.2014, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 145, p. 24-34 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Conserving the World's Finest Grassland Amidst Ambitious National Development

    Batsaikhan, N., Buuveibaatar, B., Chimed, B., Enkhtuya, O., Galbrakh, D., Ganbaatar, O., Lkhagvasuren, B., Nandintsetseg, D., Berger, J., Calabrese, J. M., Edwards, A. E., Fagan, W. F., Fuller, T. K., Heiner, M., Ito, T. Y., Kaczensky, P., Leimgruber, P., Lushchekina, A., Milner-Gulland, E. J., Mueller, T., Murray, M. G., Olson, K. A., Reading, R., Schaller, G. B., Stubbe, A., Stubbe, M., Walzer, C., Von Wehrden, H. & Whitten, T., 01.12.2014, In: Conservation Biology. 28, 6, p. 1736-1739 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Practical critique: Bridging the gap between critical and practice oriented REDD+ research communities’

    McGregor, A., Weaver, S., Challies, E., Howson, P., Astuti, R. & Haalboom, B., 01.12.2014, In: Asia Pacific Viewpoint. 55, 3, p. 277-291 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  32. Published

    Diversity matters: how bees benefit from different resin sources

    Drescher, N., Wallace, H. M., Katouli, M., Massaro, C. F. & Leonhardt, S., 12.2014, In: Oecologia. 176, 4, p. 943-953 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Entwicklung von Instrumenten zur Vermeidung von Lebensmittelabfällen: Kurzfassung

    Jepsen, D., Vollmer, A., Eberle, U., Fels, J. & Schomerus, T., 12.2014, Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 23 p. (Umweltforschungsplan des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  34. Published

    Exemplarisch lernen an der "Lüneburger Heide": Mit Komplexität und Vielperspektivität umgehen lernen

    Stoltenberg, U. (Editor), Preisigke, J. (Editor), Drexhage, J. (Editor) & Lienau, R. (Editor), 12.2014, 1. ed. Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften. 201 p. (Bildung für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung in Kindergarten und Grundschule: Lüneburger Beiträge; vol. 3)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesEducation

  35. Published

    Integrating regional perceptions into climate change adaptation: a transdisciplinary case study from Germany's North Sea Coast

    Schmidt, A., Striegnitz, M. & Kuhn, K., 12.2014, In: Regional Environmental Change. 14, 6, p. 2105-2114 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    A holistic approach to studying social-ecological systems and its application to Southern Transylvania

    Hanspach, J., Hartel, T., Milcu, A. I., Mikulcak, F., Dorresteijn, I., Loos, J., von Wehrden, H., Kuemmerle, T., Abson, D., Kovács-Hostyánszki, A., Báldi, A. & Fischer, J., 18.11.2014, In: Ecology and Society. 19, 4, 27 p., 32.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Global malnutrition overlaps with pollinator-dependent micronutrient production

    Chaplin-Kramer, R., Dombeck, E., Gerber, J., Knuth, K. A., Mueller, N. D., Mueller, M., Ziv, G. & Klein, A.-M., 07.11.2014, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B . 281, 1794, p. 1-7 7 p., 20141799.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Visionen, Institutionen und Infrastrukturen als Elemente der Energietransformation

    Binder, C. R., Hecher, M. & Vilsmaier, U., 06.11.2014, Klima von unten: Regionale Governance und gesellschaftlicher Wandel. Böschen, S., Gill, B., Kropp, C. & Vogel, K. (eds.). 1 ed. Frankfurt am Main: Campus Verlag, p. 267-286 20 p.

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

  39. Published

    Ant community structure during forest succession in a subtropical forest in South-East China

    Staab, M., Schuldt, A., Aßmann, T., Bruelheide, H. & Klein, A.-M., 01.11.2014, In: Acta Oecologica. 61, p. 32-40 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    International Sustainability Standards and Certification

    Moser, C., Hildebrandt, T. & Bailis, R., 01.11.2014, Sustainable Development of Biofuels in Latin America and the Caribbean. Solomon , B. D. & Bailis, R. (eds.). New York: Springer Verlag, Vol. 9781461492757. p. 27-69 43 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  41. Published

    Local levers for change: Mainstreaming ecosystem-based adaptation into municipal planning to foster sustainability transitions

    Wamsler, C., Luederitz, C. & Brink, E., 01.11.2014, In: Global Environmental Change : Human and Policy Dimensions. 29, p. 189 - 201 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Aspekte der Nachhaltigkeit in der ambulanten Versorgung von Menschen mit Demenz

    Baumgardt, J., Radisch, J., Touil, E., Moock, J., Plewig, H.-J., Kawohl, W. & Rössler, W., 11.2014, In: Psychiatrische Praxis. 41, 8, p. 424- 431 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Assessment for Transformation – Higher Education Thrives in Redefining Quality Systems

    Fadeeva, Z., Galkute, L., Mader, C. & Scott, G., 11.2014, Sustainable Development and Quality Assurance in Higher Education : Transformation of Learning and Society : Transformation of Learning and Society. Fadeeva, Z., Galkute, L., Mader, C. & Scott, G. (eds.). London: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 1-22 22 p. 1. (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  44. Published
  45. Published

    Climate change adaptation strategies within the framework of the German “Energiewende” – Is there a need for government interventions and legal obligations?

    Groth, M. & Cortekar, J., 11.2014, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 28 p. (Working Paper Series in Economics; no. 315).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  46. Published

    Entwicklung eines Integrated Assessment Modells: Nachhaltige Entwicklung in Deutschland. Band 1: Hauptband

    Neumann, K., Grimm, F. & Heinrichs, H., 11.2014, Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 66 p. (Texte; no. 74/2014).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  47. Published

    Entwicklung eines Integrated Assessment Modells: Nachhaltige Entwicklung in Deutschland. Band 2: Modelldokumentation

    Neumann, K., Grimm, F. & Heinrichs, H., 11.2014, Dessau-Roßlau: Umweltbundesamt, 29 p. (Texte; no. 75/2014).

    Research output: Working paperProject reportsResearch

  48. Published

    Navigating conflicting landscape aspirations: Application of a photo-based Q-method in Transylvania (Central Romania)

    Milcu, A. I., Sherren, K., Hanspach, J., Abson, D. & Fischer, J., 11.2014, In: Land Use Policy. 41, p. 408-422 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Prospective Relations Between Adolescents' Social-emotional Competencies and Their Friendships

    Von Salisch, M., Zeman, J. L., Lüpschen, N. & Kanevski, R., 11.2014, In: Social Development. 23, 4, p. 684–701 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published
  51. Published

    Socio-economic analysis for the authorisation of chemicals under REACH: a case of very high concern?

    Gabbert, S., Scheringer, M., Ng, C. A. & Stolzenberg, H.-C., 11.2014, In: Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP. 70, 2, p. 564-571 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Sustainable Development and Quality Assurance in Higher Education: Transformation of Learning and Society

    Fadeeva, Z. (Editor), Galkute, L. (Editor), Mader, C. (Editor) & Scott, G. (Editor), 11.2014, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan. 283 p. (Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch