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. 2014
  2. Published

    Wege der baukulturellen Bildung: Experimente, Erfahrungen, Expertise

    Edelhoff, S. H. & Million, A., 2014, Kinder_Sichten: Städtebau und Architektur für und mit Kindern und Jugendlichen. Reicher, C. (ed.). 2. ed. Oberhausen: Asso Verlag, p. 70-81 12 p.

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

  3. Published

    „Wem und wie sag’ ich’s denn am besten?“ – Bildung und Kommunikation zur Anpassung an regionale Folgen des Klimawandels

    Katz, C. & Schreck, C., 2014, Klimafolgenanpassung im Biosphärenreservat Niedersächsische ELBTALAUE– Modellregion für nachhaltige Entwicklung. Prüter, J., Keienburg, T. & Schreck, C. (eds.). Hamburg: TuTech Verlag, p. 113-118 6 p. (Berichte aus den KLIMZUG-NORD Modellgebieten; vol. 5).

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

  4. Published

    Werkstattbericht: 10 Jahre Sustainability Leadership Forum

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor), 2014, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management. 19 p. (CSM-Impulse; vol. 01/2014)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueTransfer

  5. Published

    Wissensproduktion im Spannungsfeld von Care, Gender und Green Economy – Wissenschaftliche Einrichtungen als Impulsgeberinnen für nachhaltiges Wirtschaften?

    Segebart, D., Hackfort, S., König, C., Gottschlich, D., Roth, S. & Röhr, U., 2014, Berlin: LIFE e.V., 26 p. (CaGE Texte; no. 2).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  6. Published

    Workshops mit lokalen Akteuren

    Zimmermann, T., Fröhlich, J., Katz, C. & Porschke, C., 2014, Stadtentwicklung und Klimaanpassung: Klimafolgen, Anpassungskonzepte und Bewusstseinsbildung beispielhaft dargestellt am Einzugsgebiet der Wandse, Hamburg. Kruse, E., Zimmermann, T., Kittel, A., Dickhaut, W., Knieling, J. & Sörensen, C. (eds.). Hamburg: TuTech Verlag, p. 188-191 4 p. (Berichte aus den KLIMZUG-NORD Modellgebieten; vol. 2).

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

  7. Published
  8. Published

    Zukunftsstrategie Nachhaltiges Unternehmertum: Vom konventionellen Management zum Sustainable Entrepreneurship

    Grünberg-Bochard, J. & Schaltegger, S., 2014, Managementperspektiven für die Zivilgesellschaft des 21. Jahrhunderts: Management als Liberal Art. von Müller, C. & Zinth, C.-P. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag, p. 133-152 20 p.

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

  9. Published

    Zur UN-Dekade an Hochschulen: Es geht voran, aber nur langsam!

    Michelsen, G., 2014, Hochschulen für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung: Netzwerke fördern, Bewusstsein verbreiter. Bonn: Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission, p. 10-11 2 p.

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

  10. Published

    Zusammenführende Diskussion

    Katz, C. & Molitor, H., 2014, Anpassung an regionale Klimafolgen kommunizieren: Konzepte, Herausforderungen und Perspektiven. Beese, K., Fekkak, M., Katz, C., Körner, C. & Molitor, H. (eds.). München: Oekom Verlag, p. 409-460 52 p.

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

  11. 2013
  12. Published

    Product-service systems as enabler for sustainability-oriented innovation: The case of osram's off-grid lighting

    Grosse-Dunker, F. & Hansen, E. G., 31.12.2013, Sustainable Practices: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications. IGI Global Publishing, Vol. 2. p. 1106-1120 15 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  13. Published

    Tetrabutylammonium prolinate-based ionic liquids: A combined asymmetric catalysis, antimicrobial toxicity and biodegradation assessment

    Ferlin, N., Courty, M., Van Nhien, A. N., Gatard, S., Pour, M., Quilty, B., Ghavre, M., Haiß, A., Kümmerer, K., Gathergood, N. & Bouquillon, S., 28.12.2013, In: RSC Advances. 3, 48, p. 26241-26251 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Model-based estimation of pesticides and transformation products and their export pathways in a headwater catchment

    Gassmann, M., Stamm, C., Olsson, O., Lange, J., Kümmerer, K. & Weiler, M., 23.12.2013, In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 17, 12, p. 5213–5228 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Helical [n]catamantanes and all-trans-perhydroacenic [n]perimantanes: Structures and von Baeyer IUPAC numbering of carbon atoms

    Balaban, A. T. & Rücker, C., 19.12.2013, In: Arkivoc. 2014, 2, p. 346-361 16 p., CV-8352NP.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Sharing Economy: A Potential New Pathway to Sustainability

    Heinrichs, H., 17.12.2013, In: GAIA. 22, 4, p. 228-231 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  17. Published

    First record of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis on amphibians in Romania

    Vörös, J., Bosch, J., Dán, Á. & Hartel, T., 01.12.2013, In: North-Western Journal of Zoology. 9, 2, p. 446-449 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Growth of mussels Mytilus edulis at algal (Rhodomonas salina) concentrations below and above saturation levels for reduced filtration rate

    Riisgard, H. U., Pleissner, D., Lundgreen, K. & Larsen, P. S., 01.12.2013, In: Marine Biology Research. 9, 10, p. 1005-1017 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Is Environmental Manage­ment Accounting a Discipline? A Bibliometric Literature Review

    Schaltegger, S., Gibassier, D. & Zvezdov, D., 01.12.2013, In: Meditari Accountancy Research. 21, 1, p. 4-31 28 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Is small beautiful? The debate on the future of small individual farms in Poland

    Szumelda, A. U., 01.12.2013, In: Eastern European Countryside (EEC). 19, 1, p. 219-250 32 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Working in regional agro-food networks – Strengthening rural development through cooperation

    Burandt, A., Lang, F. J., Schrader, R. & Thiem, A., 01.12.2013, In: Eastern European Countryside (EEC). 19, 1, p. 153-176 24 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  22. Published

    A suite of multiplexed microsatellite loci for the ground beetle Abax parallelepipedus (Piller and Mitterpacher, 1783) (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

    Marcus, T., Assmann, T., Durka, W. & Drees, C., 12.2013, In: Conservation Genetics Resources. 5, 4, p. 1151-1156 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  23. Published

    Competition between honey bees and wild bees and the role of nesting resources in a nature reserve

    Hudewenz, A. & Klein, A.-M., 12.2013, In: Journal of Insect Conservation. 17, 6, p. 1275-1283 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Hydraulic fracturing wastewater in Germany: Composition, treatment, concerns

    Olsson, O., Weichgrebe, D. & Rosenwinkel, K.-H., 12.2013, In: Environmental Earth Sciences . 70, 8, p. 3895-3906 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    IUCN and perspectives on biodiversity conservation in a changing world

    Beumer, C. & Martens, P., 12.2013, In: Biodiversity and Conservation. 22, 13-14, p. 3105-3120 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Long-term trends in tree-ring width and isotope signatures (δ13C, δ15N) of Fagus sylvatica L. on soils with contrasting water supply

    Härdtle, W., Niemeyer, T., Aßmann, T., Baiboks, S., Fichtner, A., Friedrich, U., Lang, A. C., Neuwirth, B., Pfister, L., Ries, C., Schuldt, A., Simon, N. & Oheimb, G., 12.2013, In: Ecosystems. 16, 8, p. 1413-1428 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  27. Published

    Neue Wege

    Kümmerer, K., 12.2013, Zukunft Chemie: Perspektiven auf die Welt von morgen. Mohr, R. & Utikal, H. (eds.). Frankfurt: F.A.Z.-Institut für Management-, Markt- und Medieninformationen GmbH, p. 214-235 6 p.

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

  28. Published

    Post-dispersal seed predation of three grassland species in a plant diversity experiment

    Pufal, G. & Klein, A.-M., 12.2013, In: The Journal of Ecology. 6, 6, p. 468-479 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  29. Published

    Spatial and seasonal distribution of trace metals in floodplain soils: A case study with the middle Elbe river, Germany

    Schulz-Zunkel, C., Krüger, F., Rupp, H., Meißner, R., Gruber, B., Gerisch, M. & Bork, H. R., 12.2013, In: Geoderma. 211-212, p. 128-137 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Subsistence and substitutability in consumer preferences

    Baumgärtner, S., Drupp, M. & Quaas, M. F., 12.2013, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 28 p. (University of Lüneburg Working Paper Series in Economics; no. 290).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  31. Published
  32. Published

    Differential reproductive responses to stress reveal the role of life-history strategies within a species

    Schultner, J., Kitaysky, A. S., Gabrielsen, G. W., Hatch, S. A. & Bech, C., 22.11.2013, In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B . 280, 1771, 10 p., 20132090.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Effective change management, governance and policy for sustainability transformation in higher education

    Mader, C., Scott, G. & Razak, D. A., 18.11.2013, In: Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal. 4, 3, p. 264-284 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Comparing the performance of computational estimation methods for physicochemical properties of dimethylsiloxanes and selected siloxanols

    Buser, A. M., Schenker, S., Scheringer, M. & Hungerbühler, K., 14.11.2013, In: Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data. 58, 11, p. 3170-3178 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published

    Countering Hybrid Eco-threats to Global Security Under International Law: The Need for an Comprehensive Legal Approach

    Sanden, J. & Bachmann, S. D., 01.11.2013, In: Liverpool Law Review. 34, 3, p. 261-289 29 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  36. Published

    Coupling ordination techniques and GAM to spatially predict vegetation assemblages along a climatic gradient in an ENSO-affected region of extremely high climate variability

    Muenchow, J., Feilhauer, H., Bräuning, A., Bayer, F., Rodríguez, E. F., Rodríguez, R. A. & von Wehrden, H., 01.11.2013, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 24, 6, p. 1154-1166 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  37. Published

    Gremlin-1 is an inhibitor of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and attenuates atherosclerotic plaque growth in ApoE-/- mice

    Müller, I., Schönberger, T., Schneider, M., Borst, O., Ziegler, M., Seizer, P., Leder, C., Müller, K., Lang, M., Appenzeller, F., Lunov, O., Büchele, B., Fahrleitner, M., Olbrich, M., Langer, H., Geisler, T., Lang, F., Chatterjee, M., de Boer, J. F., Tietge, U. J., Bernhagen, J., Simmet, T. & Gawaz, M., 01.11.2013, In: The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 288, 44, p. 31635-31645 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Energy: German Utilities and Renewable Energy

    Richter, M., 11.2013, In: Energy Policy. 62, November, p. 1226-1237 12 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Developmentalities and donor-NGO relations: Contesting foreign aid policies in new zealand/aotearoa

    Mcgregor, A., Challies, E., Overton, J. & Sentes, L., 11.2013, In: Antipode. 45, 5, p. 1232-1253 22 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    Humanistic Management and Sustainable Transformation with Regional Scope on Germany, Austria and Switzerland

    Mader, C., 11.2013, World Humanism: Cross-cultural Perspectives on Ethical Practices in Organizations. Khan, S. & Amann, W. (eds.). London: Palgrave Macmillan, p. 81-95 15 p. 6. (Humanism in Business Series; vol. Part F4229).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  41. Published

    Response to comment on "In situ air-water and particle-water partitioning of perfluorocarboxylic acids, perfluorosulfonic acids and perfluorooctyl sulfonamide at a wastewater treatment plant"

    Vierke, L., Ahrens, L., Shoeib, M., Palm, W.-U., Webster, E. M., Ellis, D. A. F., Ebinghaus, R. & Harner, T. J., 11.2013, In: Chemosphere. 93, 9, p. 2207-2207 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  42. Published

    Strategische Nachhaltigkeitspolitik: Herausforderungen und Chancen für Deutschland

    Heinrichs, H., Laws, N. & Riedel, H., 11.2013, Erfolgreiche Strategien für eine nachhaltige Zukunft: Reinhard Mohn Preis 2013. Bertelsmann Stiftung (ed.). Gütersloh: WBV Bertelsmann Verlag, p. 43-58 16 p.

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

  43. Published

    Testing Cort-Fitness and Cort-Adaptation hypotheses in a habitat suitability gradient for roe deer

    Escribano-Avila, G., Pettorelli, N., Virgós, E., Lara-Romero, C., Lozano Mendoza, J., Barja, I., Cuadra, F. S. & Puerta, M., 11.2013, In: Acta Oecologica. 53, p. 38-48 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Traits of butterfly communities change from specialist to generalist characteristics with increasing land-use intensity

    Börschig, C., Klein, A.-M., von Wehrden, H. & Krauss, J., 11.2013, In: Basic and Applied Ecology. 14, 7, p. 547–554 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Wood-inhabiting beetles (Coleoptera) associated with oaks in a global biodiversity hotspot: A case study and checklist for Israel

    Buse, J., Assmann, T., Friedman, A. L. L., Rittner, O. & Pavlícek, T., 11.2013, In: Insect Conservation and Diversity. 6, 6, p. 687-703 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Ecosystem services: Response

    Bateman, I. J., Harwood, A. R., Mace, G. M., Watson, R. T., Abson, D. J., Andrews, B., Binner, A., Crowe, A. M., Day, B., Dugdale, S., Fezzi, C., Foden, J., Hadley, D. J., Haines-Young, R. H., Hulme, M. F., Kontoleon, A. A., Lovett, A. A., Munday, P., Pascual, U., Paterson, J. S., Perino, G., Sen, A., Siriwardena, G., Van Soest, D. P. & Termansen, M., 25.10.2013, In: Science. 342, 6157, p. 421-422 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  47. Published

    Three steps to a solar system: From 1% to 40% and 100%

    Lehmann, H., 21.10.2013, Solar Power for the World: What You Wanted to Know about Photovoltaics. Palz, W. (ed.). Pan Stanford Publishing, p. 557-576 20 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  48. Published

    Buchbesprechung: Lutz Mitto, Energierecht

    Schomerus, T., 15.10.2013, In: Zeitschrift für das gesamte Recht der Energiewirtschaft EnWZ. 2013, 10, p. X (Aktuell) 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsTransfer

  49. Published

    Welchen Journalismus braucht die Nachhaltigkeit? Bestandsaufnahme und Bedarfsanalyse in Wissenschaft und Praxis – Ergebnisse eines iterativen Delphis

    Humburg, A., Fischer, D., Marwege, R. & Michelsen, G., 10.10.2013, Lüneburg: Institut für Umweltkommunikation der Universität Lüneburg, 39 p. (INFU-Diskussionspapiere; no. 38/2013).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  50. Published

    Aquatic photochemistry, abiotic and aerobic biodegradability of thalidomide: Identification of stable transformation products by LC-UV-MS(n.)

    Mahmoud, W. M. M., Trautwein, C., Leder, C. & Kümmerer, K., 01.10.2013, In: The Science of The Total Environment. 463-464, p. 140-150 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  51. Published

    Does location really matter? An inter-colony comparison of seabirds breeding at varying distances from productive oceanographic features in the Bering Sea

    Harding, A., Paredes, R., Suryan, R., Roby, D., Irons, D., Orben, R., Renner, H., Young, R., Barger, C., Dorresteijn, I. & Kitaysky, A., 01.10.2013, In: Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. 94, p. 178-191 14 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Estimation of the acid dissociation constant of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids through an experimental investigation of their water-to-air transport

    Vierke, L., Berger, U. & Cousins, I. T., 01.10.2013, In: Environmental Science & Technology. 47, 19, p. 11032-11039 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review