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. 2012
  2. Published

    Socio-economic Context of Forest Biodiversity Use along a Town–Forest Gradient in Cambodia

    Motzke, I., Wanger, T. C., Zanre, E., Tscharntke, T. & Barkmann, J., 2012, In: Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. SUPPL.25, p. 37-53 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Software-Unterstützung für Routine im betrieblichen Umweltschutz

    Möller, A., 2012, Konzepte, Anwendungen und Entwicklungstendenzen von betrieblichen Umweltinformationssystemen (BUIS): Tagungsband zu den 4. Berliner BUIS-Tagen am 26. und 27.04. 2012 in Berlin. Wohlgemuth, V., Lang, C. & Marx Gomez, J. (eds.). 1 ed. Shaker Verlag, p. 143-154 12 p. (Berichte aus der Umweltinformatik).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsTransfer

  4. Published

    Spanning Sustainability Management Boundaries

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor), 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management. 20 p. (CSM-Newsletter; vol. 01/2012)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueTransfer

  5. Published

    Steigert das Product-Service System Cloud-Computing die Ökoeffizienz?

    Froböse, K., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 81 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  6. Published
  7. Published

    Strategisch fundiertes Nachhaltigkeitscontrolling – Konzeption und Umsetzung in der Praxis

    Schaltegger, S. & Zvezdov, D., 2012, Nachhaltigkeitscontrolling - Konzepte, Instrumente und Fallbeispiele für die Umsetzung. Gleich, R., Bartels, P. & Breisig, V. (eds.). Freiburg: Haufe Mediengruppe, p. 45-66 22 p. (Der Controlling-Berater; no. 21).

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

  8. Published

    Success Factors of Biofuel Feedstock Investments: An Empirical Analysis Applying Resource-Based Theory

    Lüdeke-Freund, F. & Kügemann, M., 2012, Sustainability: Enabling a Transdisciplinary Approach: Abstract band. Heinrichs, H. (ed.). Centre for Sustainability Management, p. 40 1 p.

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

  9. Published

    Sustainability Accounting for the Industrial Use of Biomass

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor) & Burritt, R. (Editor), 2012, Emerald Publishing Limited. 169 p. (Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal; vol. 3, no. 2)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  10. Published

    Sustainability Reporting beyond Rhetoric: Linking Strategy, Accounting and Communication

    Schaltegger, S., 2012, Contemporary Issues in Sustainability Accounting, Assurance and Reporting . Jones, S. & Ratnatunga, J. (eds.). Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited, p. 183-195 13 p.

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

  11. Published

    Sustainability Reporting in the Light of Business Environments: Linking Business Environment, Strategy, Communication and Accounting

    Schaltegger, S., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 16 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  12. Published

    Sustainable consumption: how to evaluate sustainability in consumption acts

    Fischer, D., Michelsen, G., Blättel-Mink, B. & Di Giulio, A., 2012, The Nature of Sustainable Consumption and How to Achieve it. : Results from the Focal Topic "From Knowledge to Action – New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption". Defila, R., Di Giulio, A. & Kaufmann-Hayoz, R. (eds.). München: Oekom Verlag, p. 67-80 14 p. (Results of Social-ecological research; vol. 14).

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

  13. Published

    Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the Apparel Industry: The Case of Manomama

    Plieth, H., Bullinger, A. C. & Hansen, E. G., 2012, In: The Journal of Corporate Citizenship. 2012, 45, p. 123-138 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Sustainable Public Procurement: Mainstreaming Sustainability Criteria in Public Procurement in Developing Countries

    Roos, R., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 95 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  15. Published

    Sustainable Use of Water in the Food and Beverage Sector through Product Water Footprint Labeling: With Empirical Evidence from Thailand

    Supesuntorn, K., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 259 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  16. Published

    The “Business Case for Sustainability” Concept: A Short Introduction

    Schaltegger, S. & Lüdeke-Freund, F., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 12 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  17. Published

    The Energy Security of Lithuania

    Laws, N., 2012, Saarbrücken: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. 80 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  18. Published

    The European Higher Education for Sustainable Development Network – COPERNICUS Alliance – back on stage with Charta 2.0

    Zimmermann, F. M., Mader, C., Michelsen, G. & Adomßent, M., 2012, Higher Education in the World 4: Higher Education's Commitment to Sustainability: from Understanding to Action. G. U. N. F. I. (ed.). Palgrave Macmillan, Vol. 4. p. 134-136 3 p. (GUNI Series on the Social Commitment of Universities ; vol. 4).

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

  19. Published

    The Internet as a Tool for Sustainability Accounting and Reporting? An Analysis of the German DAX 30 Companies

    Giese, N., Godemann, J., Herzig, C. & Hetze, K., 2012, European Academy of Management 2012: Social Innovation for Competitiveness, Organisational Performance and Human Excellence. Rotterdam: Erasmus University Rotterdam, p. 1-37 38 p. (European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference; vol. 2012).

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

  20. Published

    The Political Role of the Business Firm: An Ordonomic Concept of Corporate Citizen-ship Developed in Comparison with the Aristo-telian Idea of Individual Citizenship

    Pies, I., Beckmann, M. & Hielscher, S., 2012, Halle-Wittenberg, Sachsen-Anhalt: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, 37 p. (Diskussionspapiere; vol. 2012, no. 1).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  21. Published

    The potential for a finite serial transnational nomination of primeval and ancient beech forests of Europe to the World Heritage List

    Fichtner, A., Knapp, H. D. & Engels, B., 2012, Beech Forests Joint Natural Heritage of Europe (2): The potential for a finite serial transnational nomination of primeval and ancient beech forests of Europe to the World Heritage List. Knapp, H. D. & Fichtner, A. (eds.). Bonn: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 9-20 12 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  22. Published

    The Role of the Accountants in Corporate Sustainability Accounting. An Analysis from a Promotor Perspective

    Zvezdov, D., 2012, European Academy of Management (EURAM) : EURAM 2012 Social Innovation for Competitiveness, Organisational Performance and Human Excellence. Rotterdam: Erasmus University Rotterdam, p. 97 1 p. (European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference; vol. 2012).

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

  23. Published

    The Second Half of the UN Decade Education for Sustainable Development in Germany: Topics, Trends and Gaps

    Holz, V., 2012, Education for Sustainable Development - European Approaches . Holz, V. & Stoltenberg, U. (eds.). 1 ed. Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, Vol. 7. p. 145-182 37 p. (Innovationen in den Hochschulen - Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 7).

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

  24. Published

    Thesen zum Stellenwert und zu Potenzialen gerechtigkeitsbasierter Naturschutzkommunikation

    Adomßent, M., 2012, Gerechtigkeitsargumente – Chancen und Herausforderungen für die Naturschutzkommunikation. : Dokumentation eines interdisziplinären Workshops am 29. März 2012 im BfN. B. F. N. (ed.). Bonn: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 37-41 5 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to scientific reportsResearch

  25. Published

    Transcultural Science from the Perspective of international Organisations

    Thein, K. N. N. & Urban, B., 2012, Von der Internationalisierung der Hochschule zur Transkulturellen Wissenschaft: Wissenschaftliche Konferenz 2010 an der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg. Cremer-Renz, C. & Jansen-Schulz, B. (eds.). Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, p. 283-300 18 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsResearch

  26. Published

    Transdisciplinary Research

    Wiek, A. & Lang, D. J., 2012, The Encyclopedia of Sustainability: Measurements, Indicators, and Research Methods for Sustainability. Fogel, D., Fredericks, S., Harrington, L. & Spellerberg, I. (eds.). Great Barrington, MA: Berkshire Publishing, Vol. 6. p. 355 - 358 4 p.

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

  27. Published

    UNESCO chairs for (higher) education for sustainable development

    Michelsen, G. & Rieckmann, M., 2012, In: IAU Horizons. 18, 2, p. 16-17 2 p.

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

  28. Published

    University-Industry Collaboration to Stimulate Learning in the Context of Sustainability-Oriented Innovations

    Klewitz, J., 2012, Leuphana Sustainability Summit: Abstract Band. Heinrichs, H. (ed.). Centre for Sustainability Management, 2 p.

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

  29. Published

    Unternehmen & Biodiversität: Biodiversität im unternehmerischen Immobilien- und Liegenschaftsmanagement

    Heitepriem, N., 2012, Treffpunkt Biologische Vielfalt XI: Interdisziplinärer Forschungsaustausch im Rahmen des Übereinkommens über die biologische Vielfalt. Bonn - Bad Godesberg: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 137-142 6 p. (BfN-Skripten; vol. 309).

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

  30. Published

    Using ‘mixed methods’ in sustainable consumption research: approaches, challenges and added value

    Jäger-Erben, M., Schäfer, M., Dalichau, D., Dehmel, C., Götz, K., Fischer, D., Homburg, A., Schulz, M. & Zundel, S., 2012, The Nature of Sustainable Consumption and How to Achieve it: Results from the Focal Topic "From Knowledge to Action – New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption". Defila, R., D Giulio, A. & Kaufmann-Hayoz, R. (eds.). München: Oekom Verlag, p. 143–159 17 p. (Results of Social-ecological Research; vol. 14).

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

  31. Published

    Vergleich der Wärmeabsorption von Gasen

    Niebert, K. & Sieve, B., 2012, In: Naturwissenschaft im Unterricht - Chemie. 23, 129, p. 49-50 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducation

  32. Published

    Vom Blick der politischen Bildung aufs Ganze. Intersektionale Perspektiven in der Gewaltprävention.

    Offen, S. & Schmidt, J., 2012, Zivilcourage und Gewaltprävention im Fokus politischer Bildung: Qualifizierungskonzept. Jansen, L. (ed.). Wuppertal: Bundesarbeitskreis Arbeit und Leben, p. 21-30 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticle in conference proceedingsTransfer

  33. Published

    Vom integrierten Umwelt- zum heutigen Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement: Eine Fallstudie aus der Telekommunikationsbranche im Lichte des Winter-Modells

    Schaltegger, S. & Hansen, E. G., 2012, Georg Winter - Pionier der umweltbewussten Unternehmensführung: Festschrift zum 70. Geburtstag. Seidel, E. (ed.). Marburg: Metropolis Verlag für Ökonomie, p. 255-276 22 p.

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

  34. Published

    Vorsorgendes Wirtschaften

    Biesecker, A. & Gottschlich, D., 2012, ABC der Alternativen 2.0: Von Alltagskultur bis Zivilgesellschaft. Brand, U., Lösch, B., Opratko, B. & Thimmel, S. (eds.). Hamburg: VSA-Verlag, p. 320-322 2 p.

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

  35. Published

    Vzdělávání pro udržitelný rozvoj pro pedagogy v mateřských školách

    Stoltenberg, U., 2012, Školka blízká přírodě: Příručka předškolního vzdělávání pro udržitelný rozvoj. Asociace lesních mateřských škol. Vošahlíková, T. (ed.). Praha (Prag): Asociace lesních mateřských škol

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to scientific reportsResearch

  36. Published

    Was bewegt die Jugend? Greenpeace Nachhaltigkeitsbarometer

    Michelsen, G., Grunenberg, H. & Rode, H., 2012, Homburg/ Taunus: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften. 213 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  37. Published

    Wende überall? Von Vorreitern, Nachzüglern und Sitzenbleibern ; in memoriam Günter Altner

    Michelsen, G. (Editor), Leitschuh, H. (Editor), Simonis, U. E. (Editor), Sommer, J. (Editor) & Weizsäcker, E. U. V. (Editor), 2012, Stuttgart: S. Hirzel Verlag. 256 p. (Jahrbuch Ökologie; vol. 2013)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  38. Published

    Whistle-Blowing heißt nicht: "verpfeifen": Ordonomische Überlegungen zur Korruptionsprävention durch und in Unternehmen

    Pies, I. & Beckmann, M., 2012, Korruption als internationales Phänomen: Ursachen, Auswirkungen und Bekämpfung eines weltweiten Problems. Fifka, M. S. & Falke, A. (eds.). Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 67-94 28 p.

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

  39. Published

    Wie werden Nachhaltigkeitsinformationen gemanagt? Eine Exploration in führenden deutschen und britischen Unternehmen

    Schaltegger, S. & Zvezdov, D., 2012, Nachhaltigkeit: Unternehmerisches Handeln in globaler Verantwortung. Corsten, H. & Roth, S. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag, p. 275-285 11 p.

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

  40. Published

    Wirtschaften in Netzen

    Lang, F. J., Schrader, R. & Burandt, A., 2012, In: Unsere Wirtschaft. 63, 03/2012, p. 20-22 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  41. Published

    Wirtschaftswende durch nachhaltiges Unternehmertum

    Schaltegger, S. & Hansen, E. G., 2012, Jahrbuch Ökologie 2013: Wende überall ?. Leitschuh-Fecht, H., Michelsen, G., Simonis, U., Sommer, J. & Weizsäcker, E. U. (eds.). Stuttgart: S. Hirzel Verlag, p. 64-75 12 p.

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

  42. Published

    Zum Stand der Nachhaltigkeitskommunikation – Potenziale für Nachhaltigkeitsjournalismus

    Michelsen, G. & Rieckmann, M., 2012, Umwelt Europa: Grüne Gesellschaft und europäische Krise - neue Fragen an den Journalismus. Schulte-Reckert, C. & Schäfer, T. (eds.). Bonn: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, p. 20–28 9 p.

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

  43. Published

    再生可能エネルギー促進に向けたドイツの法的ステップ

    Sanden, J., 2012, In: Kankyō-to-kōgai. 42, p. 51-57 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. 2011
  45. Published

    The conservation value of oil palm plantation estates, smallholdings and logged peat swamp forest for birds

    Azhar, B., Lindenmayer, D., Wood, J., Fischer, J., Manning, A., McElhinny, C. & Zakaria, M., 15.12.2011, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 262, 12, p. 2306–2315 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Climate Change: Implications for Europe's Security and Defence Policy: How Climate Change affects the Security of Europe

    Laws, N., 08.12.2011, Saarbrücken: AV Akademikerverlag. 135 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  47. Published

    Antibiotics in the Aquatic Environment

    Kümmerer, K., 07.12.2011, Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment. Keen, P. & Montforts, M. (eds.). 1. ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., p. 325-335 11 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  48. Published

    Exploring large vegetation databases to detect temporal trends in species occurrences

    Jandt, U., von Wehrden, H. & Bruelheide, H., 01.12.2011, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 22, 6, p. 957-972 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Mechanisms of purple moor-grass (Molinia caerulea) encroachment in dry heathland ecosystems with chronic nitrogen inputs

    Friedrich, U., Oheimb, G., Dziedek, C., Selbmann, K., Härdtle, W. & Kriebitzsch, W.-U., 01.12.2011, In: Environmental Pollution. 159, 12, p. 3553-3559 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Plant species diversity in dry coastal dunes of the southern Baltic coast

    Peyrat, J. & Fichtner, A., 01.12.2011, In: Community Ecology. 12, 2, p. 220-226 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Quantifying diffuse and point inputs of perfluoroalkyl acids in a nonindustrial river catchment

    Müller, C. E., Spiess, N., Gerecke, A. C., Scheringer, M. & Hungerbühler, K., 01.12.2011, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 45, 23, p. 9901-9909 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Screening criteria for long-range transport potential of organic substances in water

    Zarfl, C., Scheringer, M. & Matthies, M., 01.12.2011, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 45, 23, p. 10075-10081 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review