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The paper aims to deliver a general review of the methods used to pursue the concept of a "sustainable university" the research was internet-based, and it included research papers, books, conference proceedings, technical reports, and Internet websites. "Traditional" sustainability environmental-sustainability initiatives have flaws, more recent tools were developed to help manage sustainability.
The paper aims to deliver a general review of the methods used to pursue the concept of a "sustainable university" the research was internet-based, and it included research papers, books, conference proceedings, technical reports, and Internet websites. "Traditional" sustainability environmental-sustainability initiatives have flaws, more recent tools were developed to help manage sustainability.
The paper aims to deliver a general review of the methods used to pursue the concept of a "sustainable university" the research was internet-based, and it included research papers, books, conference proceedings, technical reports, and Internet websites. "Traditional" sustainability environmental-sustainability initiatives have flaws, more recent tools were developed to help manage sustainability.
Lus P. Amaral 1 , Nelson Martins 2 , Joaquim B. Gouveia 3
1 Department of Economics, Management and Industrial Engineering; University of Aveiro; Campus Universitrio de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal e-mail: lpgamaral@ua.pt 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering; Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA); University of Aveiro; Campus Universitrio de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal e-mail: nmartins@ua.pt 3 Department of Economics, Management and Industrial Engineering; Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Politics (GOOVCOP); University of Aveiro; Campus Universitrio de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal e-mail: bgouveia@ua.pt Paper submitted: 26-Feb-2013; Paper revised: 06-Oct-2013, Paper accepted: 25-Oct-2013
Structured Abstract Purpose: The paper aims to deliver a general review of the methods used to pursue the concept of a Sustainable University. Design/methodology: The research was internet-based, and it included research papers, books, conference proceedings, technical reports, and internet websites. The review was divided in two main parts: sustainability implementation methods and assessment and report tools. In turn, the practices used on universities to implement included more traditional environmental-sustainability initiatives and a more updated Sustainable Management Systems. Findings: Because traditional sustainability environmental-sustainability initiatives have flaws, more recent tools were developed to help manage sustainability. Two Sustainability Management Systems specifically oriented to universities are outlined on this paper. They both highlight the advantage of disposing a systematized management system; the need of address environmental issues, and putting special attention on the use of resources, especially energy, on campus buildings; the social responsibility of the institution; and educational and research sustainability activities that must be taken on universities. Managing sustainability in a university would be facilitated if the procedure used to implement sustainability is aligned with the tool used that assesses its performance. Originality/value: The paper presents an updated review of the efforts that universities have been made in contributing to a sustainable development. It includes methods and tools used to manage sustainability within a university, including the ones used to implement, assess and report it. The paper also intends to highlight the need of consistency and coherence between the implementation method and the assessment and report tools. Keywords - Sustainability, University System, Management Systems, Sustainable Education
1. INTRODUCTION Of all questions that mankind faces today, the impact of economic growth on ecological systems shows one of the greatest paradoxes (Newman and Dale, 2008). On one hand, economical growth provides welfare to populations, but on other hand contributes to environmental degradation and natural resources depletion. Although prior studies from Rachel Carson (1964) and Kenneth Boulding (1966) were published, it was Limits to Growth (Meadows, 1972) that shook the concept of economic development as we knew it. The Limits to Growth authors raised a reasonable doubt about the earths ability to sustain its population and economical growth. The book was shrouded in controversy and pretty soon the debate became polarized: from one side the Accepted for publication at the International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education in 06-Oct-2013
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