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. 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

  2. Published

    Sustainable consumption communication: A review of an emerging field of research

    Fischer, D., Reinermann, J. L., Guillen Mandujano, G., DesRoches, C. T., Diddi, S. & Vergragt, P. J., 01.06.2021, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 300, 14 p., 126880.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  3. Published

    Sustainable Chemistry - Path and Goal for a More Sustainable Textile Sector

    Kümmerer, K. & Keßler, L., 25.10.2020, Sustainable Textile and Fashion Value Chains: Drivers, Concepts, Theories and Solutions. Matthes, A., Beyer, K., Cebulla, H., Arnold, M. G. & Schumann, A. (eds.). Cham: Springer Nature, p. 75-104 30 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  4. Published

    Sustainable chemistry and the international sustainable chemistry collaborative centre ISC 3

    Elschami, M., Kümmerer, K. & Schneidewind, U., 01.01.2018, In: GAIA. 27, 2, p. 247-249 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  5. Published

    Sustainable chemistry and food systems lessons-the same procedure as every year?

    Zuin Zeidler, V. G., 09.02.2024, In: Science (New York, N.Y.). 383, 6683, eado2352.

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

  6. Published

    Sustainable Chemistry: A Future Guiding Principle

    Kümmerer, K., 22.12.2017, In: Angewandte Chemie. 56, 52, p. 16420 - 16421 2 p.

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

  7. Published

    Sustainable Champions: Positionierung von Marktführern im Umweltbereich. Eine empirische Untersuchung

    Petersen, H., 08.2002, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 32 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  8. Published

    Sustainable business models and sustainable supply chain management: Establishing linkages

    Norris, S., Zufall, J., Schaltegger, S. & Weissbrod, I., 01.07.2019, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on New Business Models: New Business Models for Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Transformation. Lüdeke-Freund, F. & Froese, T. (eds.). Berlin: ESCP Europe, p. 872-873 2 p.

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

  9. Published

    Sustainable business model research and practice: Emerging field or passing fancy?

    Lüdeke-Freund, F. & Dembek, K., 01.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 168, p. 1668-1678 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Sustainable Balanced Scorecard in der Flughafen Hamburg GmbH

    Diaz Guerrero, A., Möller, D. & Wagner, M., 2002, Nachhaltig managen mit der Balanced Scorecard: Konzept und Fallstudien. Schaltegger, S. & Dyllick, T. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Dr. Gabler Verlag, p. 229-257 29 p.

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