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. 2013
  2. Published

    Zielhierarchie: Goal hierarchy

    Sevincer, A. T. & Oettingen, G., 2013, Dorsch Psychologisches Wörterbuch. Huber Verlag

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  3. Published

    Zugänge zur Bildung von Lehrerinnen und Lehrern in der Bildung für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung: professionelle Anforderungen an einen Sachunterricht in Bildungslandschaften

    Offen, S., 2013, Der Sachunterricht und seine Didaktik: Bestände prüfen und Perspektiven entwickeln. Fischer, H.-J., Giest, H. & Pech, D. (eds.). 1 ed. Bad Heilbrunn: Klinkhardt, p. 114-116 3 p. (Probleme und Perspektiven des Sachunterrichts; vol. 23).

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

  4. Published

    Zukunftscamp „Future Now“

    Stoltenberg, U., 2013, Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung: Aktuelle theoretische Konzepte und Beispiele praktischer Umsetzung. Pütz, N., Schweer , M. K. W. & Logemann, N. (eds.). Frankfurt a.M.: PL Acad. Research, p. 209-222 14 p. (Psychologie und Gesellschaft; vol. 11).

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

  5. Published

    Zur Glaubwürdigkeit nachhaltiger Aktienfonds: Eine Untersuchung informationsökonomischer Probleme, konventioneller Lösungsansätze und konzeptioneller Weiterentwicklungen

    Kroschinski, J., 2013, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 150 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  6. Published

    Zur Produktivität des „Reproduktiven“: Fürsorgliche Praxis als Element einer Ökonomie der Vorsorge

    Biesecker, A. & Hofmeister, S., 2013, In: Feministische Studien. 31, 2, p. 240-252 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  7. 2012
  8. Published

    Risikokommunikation zu unterirdischen Schadenspotenzialen durch Grundhochwasser

    Grunenberg, H., 20.12.2012, Unterirdische Schadenspotentiale durch Grundhochwasser in urbanen Lebensräumen. Sommer, T., Deilmann, C., Kreibich, H., Grunenberg, H., Bothmer, D. & Ullrich, K. (eds.). Dresden: Dresdner Grundwasserforschungszentrum, p. 89-137 48 p. (Gemeinsame Mitteilungen des Dresdner Grundwasserforschungszentrums e.V. und seiner Partner; no. 6).

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

  9. Published

    Germination performance of native and non-native Ulmus pumila populations

    Hirsch, H., Wypior, C., von Wehrden, H., Wesche, K., Renison, D. & Hensen, I., 14.12.2012, In: NeoBiota. 15, 15, p. 53-68 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  10. Published

    Towards a More Sustainable Use of Scarce Metals: A Review of Intervention Options along the Metals Life Cycle

    Wäger, P. A., Lang, D. J., Wittmer, D., Bleischwitz, R. & Hagelüken, C., 11.12.2012, In: GAIA. 21, 4, p. 300 - 309 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

  11. Published

    Umweltbewusstsein und Medien: Können Filme unser Alltagshandeln verändern?

    Lüdecke, G., 07.12.2012, Hier spielt die Zukunft. : Mit Kindern Nachhaltigkeit entdecken, verstehen – und gemeinsam handeln. 1 ed. Leuchtpol, Vol. 1. p. 35-36 2 p. (Schriftenreihe der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Natur- und Umweltbildung Bundesverband e. V.; vol. 26)(Leuchtpol Bibliothek; vol. 11).

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

  12. Published

    A longitudinal analysis of the knowledge and application of sustainability management tools in large German companies

    Schaltegger, S., Windolph, S. E. & Herzig, C., 01.12.2012, In: Society and Economy. 34, 4, p. 549-579 31 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  13. Published

    Rolling out Corporate Sustainability Accounting: A Set of Challenges

    Zvezdov, D., 01.12.2012, In: Journal of Environmental Sustainability. 2, 2, p. 19-28 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published
  15. Published

    Assessment of trace metal contamination in a historical freshwater canal (Buckingham Canal), Chennai, India

    Jayaprakash, M., Nagarajan, R., Velmurugan, P. M., Sathiyamoorthy, J., Krishnamurthy, R. R. & Urban, B., 12.2012, In: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 184, 12, p. 7407-7424 18 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  16. Published

    Competition response of European beech Fagus sylvatica L. varies with tree size and abiotic stress: Minimizing anthropogenic disturbances in forests

    Fichtner, A., Sturm, K., Rickert, C., Härdtle, W. & Schrautzer, J., 12.2012, In: The Journal of Applied Ecology. 49, 6, p. 1306-1315 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  17. Published

    High Trophic Similarity in the Sympatric North European Trawling Bat Species Myotis daubentonii and Myotis dasycneme

    Krüger, F., Harms, I., Fichtner, A., Wolz, I. & Sommer, R. S., 12.2012, In: Acta Chiropterologica. 14, 2, p. 347-356 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  18. Published

    Linking bird species traits to vegetation characteristics in a future urban development zone: Implications for urban planning

    Ikin, K., Lindenmayer, D. B., Fischer, J., Manning, A. D. & Knight, E., 12.2012, In: Urban Ecosystems. 15, 4, p. 961-977 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  19. Published

    Primary source regions of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) measured in the Arctic

    Ubl, S., Scheringer, M., Stohl, A., Burkhart, J. & Hungerbühler, K., 12.2012, In: Atmospheric Environment. 62, p. 391-399 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  20. Published

    Prozesse der Energiewende wissenschaftlich gestalten: Wichtige Impulse aus den NaWis-Institutionen

    Heinrichs, H., Mans, U., Alvarez, A., Schomerus, T. & Goldammer, K., 12.2012, In: GAIA. 21, 4, p. 316-318 3 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    German climate and energy legislation: an ambitious but fragmented framework

    Schomerus, T., 30.11.2012, Climate Law in EU Member States: Towards National Legislation for Climate Protection. Peeters, M., Stallworthy, M. & de Cendra de Larragan, J. (eds.). Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 178-202 25 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  22. Published

    Biodiversität erfolgreich managen

    Schaltegger, S., 23.11.2012, In: Ökologisches Wirtschaften. 27, 4, p. 10-11 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  23. Published

    Lessons from community-based payment for ecosystem service schemes: From forests to rangelands

    Dougill, A. J., Stringer, L. C., Leventon, J., Riddell, M., Rueff, H., Spracklen, D. V. & Butt, E., 19.11.2012, In: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 367, 1606, p. 3178-3190 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  24. Published

    Measuring the (Un-)Sustainability of Industrial Biomass Production and Use

    Burritt, R. & Schaltegger, S., 16.11.2012, In: Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal. 3, 2, p. 109-133 25 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  25. Published

    Bats in a Farming Landscape Benefit from Linear Remnants and Unimproved Pastures

    Lentini, P. E., Gibbons, P., Fischer, J., Law, B., Hanspach, J. & Martin, T. G., 14.11.2012, In: PLoS ONE. 7, 11, 13 p., e48201.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    An academia beyond quantity: a reply to Loyola et al. and Halme et al.

    Fischer, J., Hanspach, J. & Ritchie, E. G., 01.11.2012, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 27, 11, p. 587-588 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  27. Published

    Decline of an endangered amphibian during an extreme climatic event

    Scheele, B. C., Driscoll, D. A., Fischer, J. & Hunter, D. A., 01.11.2012, In: Ecosphere. 3, 11, p. 1-15 15 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  28. Published

    Fukushima disaster indirectly threatens lake ecosystems

    Matsuzaki, S.-I., Von Wehrden, H., Møller, A. P. & Takamura, N., 01.11.2012, In: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 10, 9, p. 464-464 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  29. Published

    Functional trait similarity of native and invasive herb species in subtropical China-Environment-specific differences are the key

    Bachmann, D., Both, S., Bruelheide, H., Erfmeier, A., Ding, B.-Y., Gao, M., Härdtle, W. & Scherer-Lorenzen, M., 01.11.2012, In: Environmental and Experimental Botany. 83, p. 82-92 11 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  30. Published

    Carbon Accounting for Sustainability and Management: Status Quo and Challenges

    Schaltegger, S. & Csutora, M., 11.2012, In: Journal of Cleaner Production. 36, p. 1-16 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Climate Accounting and Sustainability Management

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor) & Csutora, M. (Editor), 11.2012, London: Elsevier B.V. 112 p. (Journal of Cleaner Production; no. 36)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  32. Published

    Comparison of nutrient removal capacity and biomass settleability of four high-potential microalgal species.

    Su, Y., Mennerich, A. & Urban, B., 11.2012, In: Bioresource Technology. 124, p. 157-162 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  33. Published

    Photodegradation, Photocatalytic and Aerobic Biodegradation of Sulfisomidine and Identification of Transformation Products By LC–UV-MS/MS

    Sleman, F., Mahmoud, W. M. M., Schubert, R. & Kümmerer, K., 11.2012, In: Clean - Soil, Air, Water. 40, 11, p. 1244-1249 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  34. Published

    Predator assemblage structure and temporal variability of species richness and abundance in forests of high tree diversity

    Schuldt, A., Bruelheide, H., Härdtle, W. & Aßmann, T., 11.2012, In: Biotropica. 44, 6, p. 793-800 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  35. Published
  36. Published

    Entwicklung eines Regelungskonzepts für ein Ressourcenschutzrecht des Bundes: Forschungsbericht 3709181521

    Sanden, J., Schomerus, T. & Schulze, F., 24.10.2012, Erich Schmidt Verlag. 661 p. (Berichte des Umweltbundesamtes; vol. 2012,1)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  37. Published

    Assessing ecosystem function of restoration plantings in south-eastern Australia

    Munro, N. T., Wood, J., Lindenmayer, D. B. & Fischer, J., 15.10.2012, In: Forest Ecology and Management. 282, p. 36-45 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  38. Published

    A comprehensive method for determination of fatty acids in the initial oral biofilm (pellicle)

    Reich, M., Hannig, C., Al-Ahmad, A., Bolek, R. & Kuemmerer, K., 01.10.2012, In: Journal of Lipid Research. 53, 10, p. 2226-2230 5 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  39. Published

    Occurrence and fate of the antidiabetic drug metformin and its metabolite guanylurea in the environment and during drinking water treatment

    Scheurer, M., Michel, A., Brauch, H.-J., Ruck, W. & Sacher, F., 01.10.2012, In: Water Research. 46, 15, p. 4790-4802 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  40. Published

    A new method for collecting agile tiger beetles by live pitfall trapping

    Taboada Palomares, A., Pérez-Aguirre, C. & Aßmann, T., 10.2012, In: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 145, 1, p. 82-87 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  41. Published

    Atmospheric fate of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs): II. Emission source strength in summer in Zurich, Switzerland

    Wang, Z., Scheringer, M., MacLeod, M., Bogdal, C., Müller, C., Gerecke, A. & Hungerbuehler, K., 10.2012, In: Environmental Pollution. 169, p. 204-209 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Atmospheric fate of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs): I. Day-night patterns of air concentrations in summer in Zurich, Switzerland

    Müller, C., Gerecke, A., Bogdal, C., Wang, Z., Scheringer, M. & Hungerbühler, K., 10.2012, In: Environmental Pollution. 169, p. 196-203 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  43. Published

    Estimation of human body concentrations of DDT from indoor residual spraying for malaria control

    Gyalpo, T., Fritsche, L., Bouwman, H., Bornman, R., Scheringer, M. & Hungerbühler, K., 10.2012, In: Environmental Pollution. 169, p. 235-241 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  44. Published

    Good modeling practice guidelines for applying multimedia models in chemical assessments

    Buser, A., MacLeod, M., Scheringer, M., Mackay, D., Bonnell, M., Russell, M., DePinto, J. & Hungerbuehler, K., 10.2012, In: International Environmental Assessment Policy & Management. 8, 4, p. 703-708 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  45. Published

    Mechanisms promoting tree species co-existence: Experimental evidence with saplings of subtropical forest ecosystems of China

    Lang, A. C., Härdtle, W., Baruffol, M., Böhnke, M., Bruelheide, H., Schmid, B., Von Wehrden, H. & Von Oheimb, G., 10.2012, In: Journal of Vegetation Science. 23, 5, p. 837-846 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  46. Published

    Shrub management is the principal driver of differing population sizes between native and invasive populations of Rosa rubiginosa L

    Zimmermann, H., von Wehrden, H., Renison, D., Wesche, K., Welk, E., Damascos, M. A. & Hensen, I., 10.2012, In: Biological Invasions. 14, 10, p. 2141-2157 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  47. Published

    Teilhabe durch Fachlichkeit: Erste Grundzüge einer Konzeption ökonomischer Bildung im Sachunterricht

    Löw Beer, D. & Asmussen, S., 10.2012, In: www.widerstreit-sachunterricht.de. 18, 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  48. Published

    Umweltchemikalien 50 Jahre nach Silent Spring: ein ungelöstes Problem

    Scheringer, M., 10.2012, In: GAIA. 21, 3, p. 210-216 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  49. Published

    Wissen Kompakt: Kunststoffe und ihre Entstehung

    Bolek, R., 10.2012, In: Grundschule Sachunterricht. 56, p. 4-5 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  50. Published

    Wissen Kompakt: Zur Funktion didaktischer Erklärungsmodelle

    Bolek, R. & Landwehr, B., 10.2012, In: Grundschule Sachunterricht. 56, p. 6-7 2 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransferpeer-review

  51. Published

    Multivariate Optimization of Analytical Methodology and a First Attempt to an Environmental Risk Assessment of β-Blockers in Hospital Wastewater

    Wilde, M. L., Kümmerer, K. & Martins, A. F., 25.09.2012, In: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society. 23, 9, p. 1732-1740 9 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  52. Published

    Modification of the umu-assay (ISO 13829) accounting for cytotoxicity in genotoxicity assessment: A preliminary study

    Toolaram, A. P., Gutiérrez, I. R. & Ahlf, W., 18.09.2012, In: Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis. 747, 2, p. 190-196 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch