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. 2010
  2. Published

    Spatial distribution models in a frugivorous carnivore, the stone marten (Martes foina): Is the fleshy-fruit availability a useful predictor?

    Virgós, E., Cabezas-Díaz, S., Mangas, J. G. & Lozano, J., 01.11.2010, In: Animal Biology. 60, 4, p. 423-436 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  3. Published

    Invertebrate diversity and national responsibility for species conservation across Europe: A multi-taxon approach

    Schuldt, A. & Aßmann, T., 11.2010, In: Biological Conservation. 143, 11, p. 2747-2756 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. Published

    Late developers and the inequity of "equitable utilization" and the harm of "do no harm"

    Wegerich, K. & Olsson, O., 11.2010, In: Water International. 35, 6, p. 707-717 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Ein integratives Planungsinstrument für das Hochwasserrisikomanagement - der gewässerbezogene Gebietsentwicklungsplan

    Evers, M. & Krause, K.-U., 31.10.2010, In: Raumforschung und Raumordnung. 68, 5, p. 409-418 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Tree morphology responds to neighbourhood competition and slope in species-rich forests of subtropical China

    Lang, A. C., Haerdtle, W., Bruelheide, H., Geissler, C., Nadrowski, K., Schuldt, A., Yu, M. & von Oheimb, G., 15.10.2010, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 260, 10, p. 1708-1715 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Noah's ark or world wild web? Cultural perspectives in global scenario studies and their function for biodiversity conservation in a changing world

    Beumer, C. & Martens, P., 14.10.2010, In: Sustainability. 2, 10, p. 3211-3238 28 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  8. Published

    Sustainability, science, and higher education: The need for new paradigms

    Martens, P., Roorda, N. & Cörvers, R., 11.10.2010, In: Sustainability. 3, 5, p. 294-303 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Quantification of sources of PCBs to the atmosphere in urban areas: a comparison of cities in North America, Western Europe and former Yugoslavia

    Gasic, B., MacLeod, M., Klanova, J., Scheringer, M., Ilic, P., Lammel, G., Pajovic, A., Breivik, K., Holoubek, I. & Hungerbühler, K., 01.10.2010, In: Environmental Pollution. 158, 10, p. 3230-3235 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Innovating entrepreneurial pedagogy: Examples from France and Germany

    Klapper, R. & Tegtmeier, S., 10.2010, In: Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development. 17, 4, p. 552-568 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  11. Published

    International Academic Partnership "Teaching and Learning Sustainability": Implementing Higher Education for Sustainable Development at the Universidad Técnica del Norte (Ecuador)

    Barth, M., Rieckmann, M. & Aguirre, P., 10.2010, Knowledge Collaboration & Learning for Sustainable Innovation: ERSCP-EMSU Conference. Quist, J., Tukker, A., Woudstra, J., Wever, R., Boons, F. & Beute, N. (eds.). Delft: Technische Universiteit Delft, 22 p.

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

  12. Published

    Sustainability Accounting for Companies: Catchphrase or Decision Support for Business Leaders?

    Schaltegger, S. & Burritt, R., 10.2010, In: Journal of World Business. 45, 4, p. 375-384 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Stabilisierung des ph-Werts bei wässrigen Suspensionen von Metallpartikeln

    Klaas, N., Steiert, S., Boer, C. D. & Ruck, W., 30.09.2010, IPC No. C02F 9/04, Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt, Patent No. DE102009012834A1, 02.03.2009

    Research output: PatentsPatent

  14. Published

    Sustainability Accounting and Reporting: Fad or Trend?

    Burritt, R. & Schaltegger, S., 21.09.2010, In: Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal. 23, 7, p. 829-846 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Is globalization healthy: A statistical indicator analysis of the impacts of globalization on health

    Martens, P., Akin, S. M., Maud, H. & Mohsin, R., 17.09.2010, In: Globalization and Health. 6, 14 p., 16.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Sustainability economics - General versus specific, and conceptual versus practical

    Baumgärtner, S. & Quaas, M., 15.09.2010, In: Ecological Economics. 69, 11, p. 2056-2059 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  17. Published

    Risk preferences under heterogeneous environmental risk

    Olbrich, R., Baumgärtner, S., Quaas, M. F. & Haensler, A., 07.09.2010, Jahrestagung des Vereins für Socialpolitik 2010 (Kiel): Ökonomie der Familie . Verein für Socialpolitik, 23 p.

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

  18. Published

    Application of the two-sample doubly labelled water method alters behaviour and affects estimates of energy expenditure in black-legged kittiwakes

    Schultner, J., Welcker, J., Speakman, J. R., Nordoy, E. S. & Gabrielsen, G. W., 01.09.2010, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 213, 17, p. 2958-2966 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Hygrochastic capsule dehiscence in New Zealand alpine Veronica (Plantaginaceae)

    Pufal, G., Ryan, K. G. & Garnock-Jones, P., 01.09.2010, In: American Journal of Botany. 97, 9, p. 1413-1423 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Hygrochastic capsule dehiscence supports safe site strategies in New Zealand alpine Veronica (Plantaginaceae)

    Pufal, G. & Garnock-Jones, P., 01.09.2010, In: Annals of Botany. 106, 3, p. 405-412 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Managing increasing environmental risks through agrobiodiversity and agrienvironmental policies

    Quaas, M. F. & Baumgärtner, S., 01.09.2010, In: Agricultural Economics. 41, 5, p. 483-496 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    Biogeography meets conservation: the genetic structure of the endangered lycaenid butterfly Lycaena helle (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)

    Habel, J. C., Schmitt, T., Meyer, M., Finger, A., Roedder, D., Aßmann, T. & Zachos, F. E., 09.2010, In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 101, 1, p. 155-168 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Inhibition of foam cell formation using a soluble CD68-Fc fusion protein

    Daub, K., Siegel-Axel, D., Schönberger, T., Leder, C., Seizer, P., Müller, K., Schaller, M., Penz, S., Menzel, D., Buchele, B., Bültmann, A., Münch, G., Lindemann, S., Simmet, T. & Gawaz, M., 09.2010, In: Journal of Molecular Medicine. 88, 9, p. 909-920 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Managing Strategic Alliances through a Community-Enabled Balanced Scorecard: The Case of Merck Ltd, Thailand

    Hansen, E. G., Sextl, M. & Reichwald, R., 09.2010, In: Business Strategy and the Environment. 19, 6, p. 387-399 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Mobiler Hochwasserschutz

    Koppe, B. & Brinkmann, B., 09.2010, In: Florian express. September 2010, p. 360-369 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  26. Published

    Periods of recent dune sand mobilisation in Cuddalore, Southeast India

    Frechen, M., Ramachandran, R., Urban, B. & Kunz, J.-A., 09.2010, In: Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften. 161, 3, p. 353-368 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Stingless bees use terpenes as olfactory cues to find resin sources

    Leonhardt, S., Zeilhofer, S., Blüthgen, N. & Schmitt, T., 09.2010, In: Chemical Senses. 35, 7, p. 603-611 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Terpenoids tame aggressors: role of chemicals in stingless bee communal nesting

    Leonhardt, S., Jung, L.-M., Schmitt, T. & Blüthgen, N., 09.2010, In: Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 64, 9, p. 1415-1423 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Detection and mapping of water pollution variation in the Nile Delta using multivariate clustering and GIS techniques

    Shaban, M., Urban, B., El Saadi, A. M. K. & Faisal, M., 01.08.2010, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 91, 8, p. 1785-1793 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Luminescence dating of late holocene dunes showing remnants of early settlement in Cuddalore and evidence of monsoon activity in south east India

    Frechen, M., Ramachandran, R., Urban, B. & Kunz, J.-A., 01.08.2010, In: Quaternary International. 222, 1-2, p. 194-208 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Chancen erkennen und nutzen: Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung im Alltag von Kindertagesstätten

    Benoist, B. & Heuser, H.-H., 08.2010, Hier spielt die Zukunft: Kindergärten als Bildungsorte für nachhaltige Entwicklung ; Dokumentation zur Fachtagung vom 30.11. – 01.12.2009/Bonn. Kruppa, E. (ed.). Frankfurt am Main: Leuchtpol, p. 49-52 4 p. (Schriftenreihe der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Natur- und Umweltbildung Bundesverband e.V.)(Leuchtpol Bibliothek Sonderedition; no. 1).

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

  32. Published

    Faktor Fünf: Rezension zu Weizsäcker/Hargroves/Smith: Faktor Fünf - Die Formel für nachhaltiges Wachstum

    Schomerus, T., 08.2010, In: Natur und Recht. 32, 8, p. 556-557 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  33. Published

    Organic farming in isolated landscapes does not benefit flower-visiting insects and pollination

    Brittain, C., Vighi, M., Bommarco, R., Settele, J. & Potts, S. G., 08.2010, In: Biological Conservation. 143, 8, p. 1860-1867 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    The impact of an insecticide on insect flower visitation and pollination in an agricultural landscape

    Brittain, C., Bommarco, R., Vighi, M., Barmaz, S., Settele, J. & Potts, S. G., 08.2010, In: Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 12, 3, p. 259-266 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Towards an agri-environment index for biodiversity conservation payment schemes

    Dittmer, F. & Groth, M., 08.2010, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 18 p. (Working Paper series in Economics; no. 185).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  36. Published

    Risk preferences under heterogeneous environmental risk

    Olbrich, R., Quaas, M. F., Haensler, A. & Baumgärtner, S., 25.07.2010, World Risk and Insurance Economics Congress . International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics, p. 10/76 1 p. (Etudes et Dossiers; no. 369).

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

  37. Published
  38. Published

    Modified dynamic programming approach for offline segmentation of long hydrometeorological time series

    Gedikli, A., Aksoy, H., Unal, N. E. & Kehagias, A., 07.2010, In: Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment. 24, 5, p. 547-557 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Molinia caerulea responses to N and P fertilisation in a dry heathland ecosystem (NW-Germany)

    Falk, K., Friedrich, U., Oheimb, G., Mischke, K., Merkle, K., Meyer, H. & Härdtle, W., 07.2010, In: Plant Ecology. 209, 1, p. 47-56 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Multilevel Water Governance and Problems of Scale: Setting the Stage for a Broader Debate

    Moss, T. & Newig, J., 07.2010, In: Environmental Management. 46, 1, p. 1-6 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  41. Published

    Pigous Beitrag zur Nachhaltigkeitsökonomie

    Schröter, M., Groth, M. & Baumgärtner, S., 07.2010, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 10 p. (Working Paper Series in Economics; no. 180).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  42. Published

    Tree diversity promotes insect herbivory in subtropical forests of south-east China

    Schuldt, A., Baruffol, M., Boehnke, M., Bruelheide, H., Härdtle, W., Lang, A. C., Nadrowski, K., von Oheimb, G., Voigt, W., Zhou, H. & Aßmann, T., 07.2010, In: Journal of Ecology. 98, 4, p. 917-926 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Focus: (Re)productivity Sustainable relations both between society and nature and between the genders

    Biesecker, A. & Hofmeister, S., 15.06.2010, In: Ecological Economics. 69, 8, p. 1703-1711 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Value Creation, Management Competencies, and Global Corporate Citizenship: An Ordonomic Approach to Business Ethics in the Age of Globalization

    Pies, I., Beckmann, M. & Hielscher, S., 01.06.2010, In: Journal of Business Ethics. 94, 2, p. 265-278 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Consumers' Responses to CSR Activities: The Linkage between Increased Awareness and Purchase Intention

    Lee, K.-H. & Shin, D., 06.2010, In: Public Relations Review. 36, 2, p. 193-195 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    LeNA: Leitfaden für die Nachnutzung von Altablagerungen

    Striegnitz, M. & Panebianco, S., 06.2010, Fachtagung: 25 Jahre Sanierung der Deponie Georgswerder : Umgang mit baulich gesicherten Altlasten: Erkenntnisse und Perspektiven; Tagungsband zur Fachtagung vom 10. und 11. Juni 2010. Hamburg, F. H. (ed.). Hamburg: Behörde für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt, p. 135-147 13 p.

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

  47. Published

    Performance of conventional multi-barrier drinking water treatment plants for the removal of four artificial sweeteners

    Scheurer, M., Storck, F. R., Brauch, H. J. & Lange, F. T., 06.2010, In: Water Research. 44, 12, p. 3573-3584 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published
  49. Published

    Higher Education for Sustainable Consumption: Concept and Results of a Transdisciplinary Project Course

    Fischer, D. & Rieckmann, M., 09.05.2010, In: Journal of Sustainability Education. 1, 2, p. 296–306 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesEducation

  50. Published

    Highly reduced genetic diversity of Rosa rubiginosa L. populations in the invasive range

    Zimmermann, H., Ritz, C., Hirsch, H., Renison, D., Wesche, K. & Hensen, I., 01.05.2010, In: International Journal of Plant Sciences. 171, 4, p. 435-446 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Learning settings to face climate change

    Burandt, S. & Barth, M., 01.05.2010, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 18, 7, p. 659-665 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review