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. 2012
  2. Published

    Normative Begründung der Nachhaltigkeitsökonomie

    Baumgärtner, S., 2012, Wissenschaft für nach­haltige Entwicklung !: Multi­perspektivische Beiträge zu einer verantwortungs­bewussten Wissenschaft. Studierenden­Initiative Greening the University e.V. (ed.). Metropolis Verlag für Ökonomie, p. 273-298 26 p.

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

  3. Published

    Participation in environmental governance: legitimate and effective?

    Newig, J. & Kvarda, E., 2012, Environmental governance: The challenge of legitimacy and effectiveness. Hogl, K., Kvarda, E., Nordbeck, R. & Pregernig, M. (eds.). Cheltenham et al.: Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 29-45 17 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  4. Published

    Participatory governance and sustainability: Findings of a meta-analysis of stakeholder involvement in environmental decision making

    Fritsch, O. & Newig, J., 2012, Reflexive governance for global public goods. Brousseau, E., Dedeurwaerdere, T. & Siebenhüner, B. (eds.). Cambridge (Mass.): The MIT Press, p. 181-203 23 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  5. Published

    Partnerships in Support of an Integrated Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility: South African Case Study

    Rollin, C., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 99 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  6. Published

    Payments for ecosystem services – for efficiency and for equity?

    Baumgärtner, S., 2012, Strategies for Sustainability: Institutional and Organisational Challenges: Proceedings of the 3rd International Sustainability Conference. Daub, C.-H., Burger, P., Scherrer, Y. M. & Frecè, J. T. (eds.). Basel: edition gesowip, p. 248 1 p.

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

  7. Published

    Photodegradation of thalidomide: Identification of transformation products by LC-UV-FL-MS/MS, assessment of biodegradability, cytotoxicity and mutagenicity.

    Mahmoud, W. M. M., Toolaram, A. P., Schneider, M. & Kümmerer, K., 2012, 4th EuCheMS Chemistry Congress: Abstract book. Association of Czech Chemical Societies, Vol. 106. p. 650 1 p. (Chemické listy; vol. 106, no. S4).

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

  8. Published

    Photolysis of sulfamethoxypyridazine in various aqueous media: Aerobic biodegradation and photoproducts identification by LC-UV-MS/MS

    Khaleel, N. D. H., Mahmoud, W. M. M., Hadad, G. M., Abdel-Salam, R. A. & Kümmerer, K., 2012, In: Chemicke Listy. 106, S4, p. 904 1 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsConference abstract in journalResearchpeer-review

  9. Published

    Pollination of Camelina sativa and Thlaspi arvense: Two new potential oil crop species in Germany

    Groeneveld, J. H. & Klein, A.-M., 2012, From Basic Ecology to the Challenges of Modern Society: 42nd annual meeting Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ökologie. Drees, C. & von Oheimb, G. (eds.). Gesellschaft für Ökologie, p. 254-255 1 p. (Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Ökologie; no. 42).

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

  10. Published

    Poststrukturalismus und Postkolonialismus: Jaques Derridas "Grammatologie" sowie Gilles Deleuzes und Félix Guattaris "Tausend Plateaus"

    Angermüller, J. & Leonie, B., 2012, Schlüsselwerke der Postcolonial Studies. Reuter, J. & Karentzos, A. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer Verlag, p. 27 - 37 12 p.

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

  11. Published

    Product-Service Systems as Enabler for Sustainability-Oriented Innovation: The Case of Osram’s Off-Grid Lighting

    Große-Dunker, F. & Hansen, E. G., 2012, Technological, Managerial and Organizational Core Competencies : Dynamic Innovation and Sustainable Development. Nobre, F. S., Walker, D. S. & Harris, R. J. (eds.). Hershey, PA: Business Science Reference, p. 40-54 15 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  12. Published
  13. Published

    Property rights in biodiversity for sustainability

    Stumpf, K. H., 2012, Biodiversität und Gesellschaft - Gesellschaftliche Dimensionen von Schutz und Nutzung biologischer Vielfalt: Book of Abstracts. Friedrich, J., Halsband, A. & Minkmar, L. (eds.). Göttingen: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, p. 31 1 p.

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

  14. Published

    Publicly Mediated Inter-Organizational Networks: A Solution for Sustainability-Oriented Innovation in SMEs ?

    Hansen, E. G. & Klewitz, J., 2012, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability. Wagner, M. (ed.). Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing, p. 254-278 25 p.

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

  15. Published

    Pursuing Sustainability with the Balanced Scorecard: Between Shareholder Value and Multiple Goal Optimisation

    Hansen, E. G. & Schaltegger, S., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management. 35 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  16. Published

    Qualitätssicherung und Entwicklung in der Elementarpädagogik: Eine Interdisziplinäre, qualitative Studie zum Einsatz des Instruments der Balanced Scorecard im Feld der Kindertagesstätten

    Asmussen, S., 2012, Hamburg: Verlag Dr. Kovač. 98 p. (Frühpädagogik in Forschung und Praxis; vol. 2)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesMonographsResearch

  17. Published

    RCE Graz-Styria: Influencing Sustainable Consumption and Production in Styria

    Diethart, M., Mader, C., Zimmerman, F., Mader, M. & Meyer, J., 2012, Towards More Sustainable Consumption and Production Systems and Sustainable Livelihoods: Learning Contributions of the Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development. Fadeeva, Z., Payyappalimana, U. & Petry, R. (eds.). Yokohama, Japan: United Nations University - Institute for Advanced Studies, p. 68-71 4 p. (Innovation in Local and Global Learning Systems for Sustainability).

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

  18. Published

    Recht, Finanzierung und Versicherung von Photovoltaikanlagen

    Degenhart, H. (Editor), Hohlbein, B. (Editor) & Schomerus, T. (Editor), 2012, Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft. 102 p. (Lüneburger Schriften zum Wirtschaftsrecht; no. 25)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesConference proceedingsTransfer

  19. Published

    Rechtsfragen des Landfill Mining - Weiterentwicklung des Deponierechts zur Rückgewinnung von Ressourcen

    Sanden, J. & Schomerus, T., 2012, In: AbfallR. 5, p. 194-201 8 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  20. Published

    Regionale Wertschöpfungsnetzwerke von Photovoltaik-Projektierungsunternehmen und deren ökonomischer Beitrag für eine nachhaltige Regionalentwicklung

    Winkelmann, T., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 95 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  21. Published

    Regionalisierung der Energieversorgung und Förderung von Energiespeichern: Virtuelle Kraftwerke und dezentrale Stromspeicher

    Schomerus, T., 2012, Erneuerbare Energien: Ambivalenzen, Governance, Rechtsfragen. Ekhardt, F., Henning, B. & Unnerstall, H. (eds.). Marburg: Metropolis Verlag für Ökonomie, Vol. 1. p. 227-252 26 p. (Beiträge zur Sozialwissenschaftlichen Nachhaltigkeitsforschung; vol. 1).

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

  22. Published

    Regulation of morally responsible agents with motivation crowding

    Fünfgelt, J. & Baumgärtner, S., 2012, Lüneburg: Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Lüneburg, 34 p. (Working Paper Series in Economics; no. 241).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  23. Published

    Rein oder nachhaltig rein? : Ansätze für einen nachhaltigkeitsorientierten Wandel in der Deutschen Brauindustrie

    Hansen, E. G., Wall, A. & Schaltegger, S., 2012, In: BRAUINDUSTRIE. 97, 11, p. 42-47 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesTransfer

  24. Published

    Resource use and competition between honey bees and wild bees in the Lüneburger Heath

    Hudewenz, A. & Klein, A.-M., 2012, GfÖ Conference book: Book of abstracts. Drees, C. & von Oheimb, G. (eds.). Gesellschaft für Ökologie, Vol. 42. p. 69 1 p. (Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Ökologie; no. 42).

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

  25. Published

    Ressourcenschutzrecht – Ziele, Herausforderungen, Regelungsvorschläge

    Herrmann, F., Sanden, J., Schomerus, T. & Schulze, F., 2012, In: ZUR - Zeitschrift für Umweltrecht. 10, p. 523-532 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  26. Published

    Role-Determined Information Needs of Sustainability Management Control

    Schaltegger, S., Burritt, R., Zvezdov, D., Tingey-Holyoak, J. & Hörisch, J., 2012, Strategies for Sustainability: Institutional and Organisational Challenges: Proceedings of the 3rd International Sustainability Conference. Daub, C.-H., Burger, P., Scherrer, Y. M. & Frecè, J. T. (eds.). edition gesowip, p. 129-131 3 p.

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

  27. Published

    Schools and their ‚culture of consumption‘: a context for consumer learning

    Barth, M., Fischer, D., Michelsen, G. & Rode, H., 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. 229-244 16 p. (Results of Social-ecological Research; vol. 14).

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

  28. Published

    Sharing Economy - Auf dem Weg in eine neue Konsumkultur?

    Heinrichs, H. & Grunenberg, H., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 29 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  29. Published

    Socio-ecological Research: The Cases of Rural Development an Agro-Biotechnology: Conference Report

    Gottschlich, D., Mölders, T. & Laschewski, L., 2012, In: Eastern European Countryside (EEC). 18, p. 177-182 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  30. Published

    Socio-economic Context of Forest Biodiversity Use along a Town–Forest Gradient in Cambodia

    Motzke, I., Wanger, T. C., Zanre, E., Tscharntke, T. & Barkmann, J., 2012, In: Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. SUPPL.25, p. 37-53 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  31. Published

    Software-Unterstützung für Routine im betrieblichen Umweltschutz

    Möller, A., 2012, Konzepte, Anwendungen und Entwicklungstendenzen von betrieblichen Umweltinformationssystemen (BUIS): Tagungsband zu den 4. Berliner BUIS-Tagen am 26. und 27.04. 2012 in Berlin. Wohlgemuth, V., Lang, C. & Marx Gomez, J. (eds.). 1 ed. Shaker Verlag, p. 143-154 12 p. (Berichte aus der Umweltinformatik).

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

  32. Published

    Spanning Sustainability Management Boundaries

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor), 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management. 20 p. (CSM-Newsletter; vol. 01/2012)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueTransfer

  33. Published

    Steigert das Product-Service System Cloud-Computing die Ökoeffizienz?

    Froböse, K., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 81 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  34. Published
  35. Published

    Strategisch fundiertes Nachhaltigkeitscontrolling – Konzeption und Umsetzung in der Praxis

    Schaltegger, S. & Zvezdov, D., 2012, Nachhaltigkeitscontrolling - Konzepte, Instrumente und Fallbeispiele für die Umsetzung. Gleich, R., Bartels, P. & Breisig, V. (eds.). Freiburg: Haufe Mediengruppe, p. 45-66 22 p. (Der Controlling-Berater; no. 21).

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

  36. Published

    Success Factors of Biofuel Feedstock Investments: An Empirical Analysis Applying Resource-Based Theory

    Lüdeke-Freund, F. & Kügemann, M., 2012, Sustainability: Enabling a Transdisciplinary Approach: Abstract band. Heinrichs, H. (ed.). Centre for Sustainability Management, p. 40 1 p.

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

  37. Published

    Sustainability Accounting for the Industrial Use of Biomass

    Schaltegger, S. (Editor) & Burritt, R. (Editor), 2012, Emerald Publishing Limited. 169 p. (Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal; vol. 3, no. 2)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesSpecial Journal issueResearch

  38. Published

    Sustainability Reporting beyond Rhetoric: Linking Strategy, Accounting and Communication

    Schaltegger, S., 2012, Contemporary Issues in Sustainability Accounting, Assurance and Reporting . Jones, S. & Ratnatunga, J. (eds.). Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited, p. 183-195 13 p.

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

  39. Published

    Sustainability Reporting in the Light of Business Environments: Linking Business Environment, Strategy, Communication and Accounting

    Schaltegger, S., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 16 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  40. 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

  41. Published

    Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the Apparel Industry: The Case of Manomama

    Plieth, H., Bullinger, A. C. & Hansen, E. G., 2012, In: The Journal of Corporate Citizenship. 2012, 45, p. 123-138 16 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  42. Published

    Sustainable Public Procurement: Mainstreaming Sustainability Criteria in Public Procurement in Developing Countries

    Roos, R., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 95 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  43. Published

    Sustainable Use of Water in the Food and Beverage Sector through Product Water Footprint Labeling: With Empirical Evidence from Thailand

    Supesuntorn, K., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 259 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  44. Published

    The “Business Case for Sustainability” Concept: A Short Introduction

    Schaltegger, S. & Lüdeke-Freund, F., 2012, Lüneburg: Centre for Sustainability Management, 12 p.

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  45. Published

    The Energy Security of Lithuania

    Laws, N., 2012, Saarbrücken: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. 80 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  46. Published

    The European Higher Education for Sustainable Development Network – COPERNICUS Alliance – back on stage with Charta 2.0

    Zimmermann, F. M., Mader, C., Michelsen, G. & Adomßent, M., 2012, Higher Education in the World 4: Higher Education's Commitment to Sustainability: from Understanding to Action. G. U. N. F. I. (ed.). Palgrave Macmillan, Vol. 4. p. 134-136 3 p. (GUNI Series on the Social Commitment of Universities ; vol. 4).

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

  47. Published

    The Internet as a Tool for Sustainability Accounting and Reporting? An Analysis of the German DAX 30 Companies

    Giese, N., Godemann, J., Herzig, C. & Hetze, K., 2012, European Academy of Management 2012: Social Innovation for Competitiveness, Organisational Performance and Human Excellence. Rotterdam: Erasmus University Rotterdam, p. 1-37 38 p. (European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference; vol. 2012).

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

  48. Published

    The Political Role of the Business Firm: An Ordonomic Concept of Corporate Citizen-ship Developed in Comparison with the Aristo-telian Idea of Individual Citizenship

    Pies, I., Beckmann, M. & Hielscher, S., 2012, Halle-Wittenberg, Sachsen-Anhalt: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, 37 p. (Diskussionspapiere; vol. 2012, no. 1).

    Research output: Working paperWorking papers

  49. Published

    The potential for a finite serial transnational nomination of primeval and ancient beech forests of Europe to the World Heritage List

    Fichtner, A., Knapp, H. D. & Engels, B., 2012, Beech Forests Joint Natural Heritage of Europe (2): The potential for a finite serial transnational nomination of primeval and ancient beech forests of Europe to the World Heritage List. Knapp, H. D. & Fichtner, A. (eds.). Bonn: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, p. 9-20 12 p.

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

  50. Published

    The Role of the Accountants in Corporate Sustainability Accounting. An Analysis from a Promotor Perspective

    Zvezdov, D., 2012, European Academy of Management (EURAM) : EURAM 2012 Social Innovation for Competitiveness, Organisational Performance and Human Excellence. Rotterdam: Erasmus University Rotterdam, p. 97 1 p. (European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference; vol. 2012).

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

  51. Published

    The Second Half of the UN Decade Education for Sustainable Development in Germany: Topics, Trends and Gaps

    Holz, V., 2012, Education for Sustainable Development - European Approaches . Holz, V. & Stoltenberg, U. (eds.). 1 ed. Bad Homburg: VAS Verlag für Akademische Schriften, Vol. 7. p. 145-182 37 p. (Innovationen in den Hochschulen - Nachhaltige Entwicklung; vol. 7).

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