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. 2018
  2. Published

    Sustainable Entrepreneurship – Creating Environmental Solutions: Part 1

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor), Beckmann, M. (Editor) & Hockerts, K. (Editor), 2018, Olney: Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. 129 p. (International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing; vol. 10, no. 1)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  3. Published

    Sustainable entrepreneurship: creating environmental solutions in light of planetary boundaries

    Schaltegger, S., Beckmann, M. & Hockerts, K., 2018, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 10, 1, p. 1-16 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  4. In preparation

    The Application of Extended Producer Responsibility in Germany

    Schomerus, C.-T., 2018, (In preparation) Japanese Environmental Law: With a Comparison to German Environmental Law. Japan: Springer VS

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

  5. Published

    The Democratic Capacity of Science Education Or: Is Inclusive Science Education the Contemporary Science Education?

    Abels, S. & Wellensiek, A., 2018, Bildung gewinnt! Annelie Wellensiek zum Gedenken. Hohenester-Pongratz, B. & Kollmann, F. (eds.). Heidelberg: Mattes Verlag, p. 173-184 12 p.

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

  6. Published
  7. Published

    Toward comparative institutional analysis of polycentric social-ecological systems governance

    Thiel, A. & Moser, C., 2018, In: Environmental Policy and Governance. 28, 4, p. 269-283 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  8. Published

    Transdisciplinarity in social-ecological research: Constraints, challenges and opportunities: Reflections on personal experience

    Hofmeister, S., 2018, Transdisciplinary Research and Sustainability: Collaboration, Innovation and Transformation. Padmanaban, M. (ed.). 1 ed. London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 66-82 17 p. ( Routledge Studies in Environment, Culture and Society).

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

  9. Published

    Unternehmerische Verantwortungsübernahme für gesellschaftlichen Nutzen: Business Case for Sustainability als Mittel nachhaltiger Entwicklung

    Schaltegger, S., 2018, Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung von Unternehmen in Deutschland: Ein Kompendium zur Erschließung eines sich entwickelnden Themenfeldes. Backhaus-Maul, H., Kunze, M. & Nährlich, S. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Verlag, p. 351-364 14 p.

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

  10. Published

    Von Geschlechterverhältnissen und Maispflanzen: Geschlecht als Struktur- und Prozesskategorie in der agrarpolitischen Konfliktfeldanalyse

    Friedrich, B., 2018, Zum Selbstverständnis der Gender-Studies II: Technik - Raum - Bildung. Onnen, C. & Rode-Breymann, S. (eds.). 1 ed. Berlin: Verlag Babara Budrich, Vol. 2. p. 101-118 18 p. (L'AGENda.; vol. 2).

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

  11. Published

    Wahnehmung und Anpassungsverhalten der Landwirte an Greening: Eine qualitative Studie in Südniedersachsen

    Schüler, S., Bienwald, L., Loos, J. & Lakner, S., 2018, In: Berichte über Landwirtschaft. Zeitschrift für Agrapolitik und Landwirtschaft. 96, 3, 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  12. Published

    Weitergehende Prozessbewertung mittels Non-Target-Screening bei der Landeswasserversorgung

    Bader, T., Schulz, W., Lucke, T., Winzenbacher, R. & Kümmerer, K., 2018, In: GWF, Wasser - Abwasser. 159, 2, p. 66-69 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Wer berichtet, wird besser

    Schaltegger, S. & Qian, W., 2018, In: Controlling & Management Review. 62, 1, p. 48-51 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    What drives social entrepreneurial appraisal among hearing-impaired individuals?

    Jasniak, M., Ermakova, T., Baierl, R. & Halberstadt, J., 2018, In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing. 10, 2, p. 236-255 20 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Wirtschaftsethik: Vom freien Markt bis zur Share Economy

    Oermann, N. O., 2018, 2 ed. München: C.H. Beck Verlag. 127 p. (C. H. Beck Wissen; vol. 2845)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Wirtschaftsethik – quo vadis? „Ist“ und „Soll“ eines Bindestrichfachs aus protestantischer Perspektive

    Oermann, N. O., 2018, Evangelische Wirtschaftsethik-wohin?. Manzeschke, A. (ed.). Münster: LIT Verlag, p. 27 - 48 22 p. (LLG - Leiten. Lenken. Gestalten. Theologie und Ökonomie; vol. 33).

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

  17. Published

    Zukünftige Generationen in der heutigen Demokratie: Theorie und Praxis der Proxy-Repräsentation

    Rose, M., 2018, Wiesbaden: Springer VS. 584 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Zur Vergangenheit und Zukunft des Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetzes

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Maly, C., 2018, Handbuch Energiewende und Partizipation. Holstenkamp, L. & Radtke, J. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 1117-1133 17 p.

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

  19. 2017
  20. 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

  21. Published

    Exploring intrinsic, instrumental and relational values for sustainable management of social-ecological systems

    Arias-Arévalo, P., Martín-López, B. & Gómez-Baggethun, E., 21.12.2017, In: Ecology and Society. 22, 4, 15 p., 43.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    LC-HRMS Data Processing Strategy for Reliable Sample Comparison Exemplified by the Assessment of Water Treatment Processes

    Bader, T., Schulz, W., Kümmerer, K. & Winzenbacher, R., 19.12.2017, In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C: Energy, Materials, and Catalysis. 89, 24, p. 13219-13226 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    § 40 Wasserkraft

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Reins, L., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 940-967 28 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  24. Published

    § 41 Deponie-, Klär- und Grubengas

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Franke, P., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 968-982 15 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  25. Published

    § 46a Absenkung der anzulegenden Werte für Strom aus Windenergie an Land bis 2018

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Maly, C., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1145-1150 6 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  26. Published

    § 46b Windenergie an Land ab 2019

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Maly, C., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1151-1152 2 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  27. Published

    § 46 Windenergie an Land bis 2018

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Maly, C., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1114-1144 31 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  28. Published

    § 47 Windenergie auf See bis 2020

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Meister, M., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1153-1177 25 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  29. Published

    § 48 Solare Strahlungsenergie

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Reins, L., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1178-1233 56 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  30. Published

    § 49 Absenkung der anzulegenden Werte für Strom aus solarer Strahlungsenergie

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Reins, L., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1234-1241 8 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  31. Published

    § 84 Nutzung von Seewasserstraßen

    Schomerus, C.-T., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1735-1739 5 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  32. Published

    § 86 Bußgeldvorschriften

    Schomerus, C.-T., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1775-1784 9 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  33. Published

    § 91 Verordnungsermächtigung zum Ausgleichsmechanismus

    Schomerus, C.-T., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1833-1838 6 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  34. Published

    § 95 Weitere Verordnungsermächtigungen

    Schomerus, C.-T., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1856-1865 10 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  35. Published

    § 96 Gemeinsame Bestimmungen

    Schomerus, C.-T., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1866-1868 3 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  36. Published

    § 97 Erfahrungsbericht

    Schomerus, C.-T. & Reins, L., 15.12.2017, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar. Frenz, W., Müggenborg, H.-J., Cosack, T., Hennig, B. & Schomerus, T. (eds.). 5. Aufl. ed. Erich Schmidt Verlag, p. 1869-1888 20 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions in collection of commentariesResearch

  37. Published

    Climate-neutral and sustainable campus Leuphana University of Lueneburg

    Opel, O., Strodel, N., Werner, K. F., Geffken, J., Tribel, A. & Ruck, W., 15.12.2017, In: Energy. 141, p. 2628-2639 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz: Kommentar

    Frenz, W. (Editor), Müggenborg, H.-J. (Editor), Cosack, T. (Editor), Hennig, B. (Editor) & Schomerus, C.-T. (Editor), 15.12.2017, 5. , völlig neu bearbeitet und erweitert ed. Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag. 2037 p. (Berliner Kommentare)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesTransfer

  39. Published

    Experiments and evidence in sustainability science: A typology

    Caniglia, G., Schäpke, N., Lang, D. J., Abson, D. J., Lüderitz, C., Wiek, A., Laubichler, M., Gralla, F. & von Wehrden, H., 15.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 169, p. 39-47 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Experiments in climate governance: A systematic review of research on energy and built environment transitions

    Kivimaa, P., Hildén, M., Huitema, D., Jordan, A. & Newig, J., 15.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 169, p. 17 - 29 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Learning through evaluation: A tentative evaluative scheme for sustainability transition experiments

    Lüderitz, C., Schäpke, N., Wiek, A., Lang, D. J., Bergmann, M., Bos, J. J., Burch, S., Davies, A., Evans, J., König, A., Farrelly, M. A., Forrest, N., Frantzeskaki, N., Gibson, R. B., Kay, B., Loorbach, D., McCormick, K., Parodi, O., Rauschmayer, F., Schneidewind, U., Stauffacher, M., Stelzer, F., Trencher, G., Venjakob, J., Vergragt, P. J., von Wehrden, H. & Westley, F. R., 15.12.2017, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 169, p. 61-76 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Urban BaWü-Labs: Challenges and Solutions when Expanding the Real-World Lab Infrastructure

    Schäpke, N., Stelzer, F., Marg, O., Bergmann, M., Miller, E., Wagner, F. & Lang, D. J., 15.12.2017, In: GAIA. 26, 4, p. 366-368 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  43. Published

    ‘It's the Psychology, Stupid!’: Understanding Human Cognition Biases to Inform Sustainable Behavior

    Engler, J.-O., Abson, D. & Wehrden, H., 14.12.2017, Rochester: SSRN Social Science Research Network, 23 p. (SSRN; no. 3086532).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  44. Published

    The self-sabotage of conservation: Reply to Manfredo et al.

    Ives, C. D. & Fischer, J., 06.12.2017, In: Conservation Biology. 31, 6, p. 1483 - 1485 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  45. Published

    Bryophytes and organic layers control uptake of airborne nitrogen in low-N environments

    Bähring, A., Fichtner, A., Friedrich, U., Von Oheimb, G. & Härdtle, W., 04.12.2017, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 8, 12 p., 2080.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published
  47. Published

    Antimicrobial activity of pharmaceutical cocktails in sewage treatment plant effluent: An experimental and predictive approach to mixture risk assessment

    Menz, J., Baginska, E., Arrhenius, Å., Haiß, A., Backhaus, T. & Kümmerer, K., 01.12.2017, In: Environmental Pollution. 231, 2, p. 1507-1517 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Autotrophic and heterotrophic microalgae and cyanobacteria cultivation for food and feed: life cycle assessment

    Smetana, S., Sandmann, M., Rohn, S., Pleißner, D. & Heinz, V., 01.12.2017, In: Bioresource Technology. 245, Part A, p. 162-170 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Belowground top-down and aboveground bottom-up effects structure multitrophic community relationships in a biodiverse forest

    Schuldt, A., Bruelheide, H., Buscot, F., Assmann, T., Erfmeier, A., Klein, A.-M., Ma, K., Scholten, T., Staab, M., Wirth, C., Zhang, J. & Wubet, T., 01.12.2017, In: Scientific Reports. 7, 1, 9 p., 4222.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  50. Published

    Drought effects on root and needle terpenoid content of a coastal and an interior Douglas fir provenance

    Kleiber, A., Duan, Q., Jansen, K., Junker, L. V., Kammerer, B., Rennenberg, H., Ensminger, I., Gessler, A. & Kreuzwieser, J., 01.12.2017, In: Tree Physiology. 37, 12, p. 1648-1658 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a guided internet- and mobile-based depression intervention for individuals with chronic back pain: protocol of a multi-centre randomised controlled trial

    Lin, J., Sander, L., Paganini, S., Schlicker, S., Ebert, D., Berking, M., Bengel, J., Nobis, S., Lehr, D., Mittag, O., Riper, H. & Baumeister, H., 01.12.2017, In: BMJ Open. 7, 12, 11 p., e015226 .

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Environmental justice and care: critical emancipatory contributions to sustainability discourse

    Gottschlich, D. & Bellina, L., 01.12.2017, In: Agriculture and Human Values. 34, 4, p. 941-953 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review