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How do higher education institutions promote sustainable development? A literature review

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  • Issa Ibrahim Berchin
  • Ana Regina de Aguiar Dutra
  • José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra

Abstract

Higher education institutions (HEIs) have a fundamental role in transforming societies aimed at a more sustainable future. Through knowledge creation and dissemination, research, education and outreach, institutions of higher education lead the path towards sustainable development. The aim of this paper is to identify, based on a review of the literature, how HEIs promote sustainable development. An analysis of both international declarations and the scientific literature on education for sustainable development shows that emphasis is given to discussions on development, education, research, and training. This highlights the need for a stronger role of universities to promote sustainable development paths, expanding and disseminating knowledge, building capacity through training, and working with local communities to increase their resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Issa Ibrahim Berchin & Ana Regina de Aguiar Dutra & José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra, 2021. "How do higher education institutions promote sustainable development? A literature review," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(6), pages 1204-1222, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:29:y:2021:i:6:p:1204-1222
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.2219
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    2. Carleton-Hug, Annelise & Hug, J. William, 2010. "Challenges and opportunities for evaluating environmental education programs," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 159-164, May.
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    5. Walter Leal Filho & Valeria Ruiz Vargas & Amanda Lange Salvia & Luciana Londero Brandli & Eric Pallant & Maris Klavins & Subhasis Ray & Sara Moggi & Marija Maruna & Elisa Conticelli & Martin Ayanore &, 2019. "The role of higher education institutions in sustainability initiatives at the local level," Post-Print hal-02559727, HAL.
    6. Unknown, 2016. "Energy for Sustainable Development," Conference Proceedings 253270, Guru Arjan Dev Institute of Development Studies (IDSAsr).
    7. Walter Filho Leal & Valeria Ruiz Vargas & Salvia Amanda Lange & Luciana Londero Brandli & Eric Pallant & Maris Klavins & Subhasis Ray & Sara Moggi & Marija Maruna & Elisa Conticelli & Martin Amogre Ay, 2019. "The role of higher education institutions in sustainability initiatives at the local level," Post-Print hal-02266237, HAL.
    8. Asli Yagmur Akbulut-Bailey & Samir T. IsHak & Jaideep Motwani, 2011. "Applied sustainability in services and operations in higher learning institutions: a case study," International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 5(2), pages 127-141.
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    Cited by:

    1. Evita Milana & Frank Ulrich, 2022. "Do open innovation practices in firms promote sustainability?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(6), pages 1718-1732, December.
    2. Chimere O. Iheonu & Simplice A. Asongu, 2022. "Democracy and Lifelong Learning in Africa," Working Papers 22/067, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    3. Jasmina Saric & Thomas Breu & Gilbert Fokou & Salome‐Joëlle Gass & Boniface Kiteme & Honorati Masanja & Jürg Utzinger & Gete Zeleke & Fabian Käser, 2023. "Research−implementation organisations and their role for sustainable development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(3), pages 1401-1416, June.
    4. Idiano D’Adamo & Massimo Gastaldi, 2023. "Perspectives and Challenges on Sustainability: Drivers, Opportunities and Policy Implications in Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-6, February.
    5. Andrea Cuesta‐Claros & Shirin Malekpour & Rob Raven & Tahl Kestin, 2022. "Understanding the roles of universities for sustainable development transformations: A framing analysis of university models," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(4), pages 525-538, August.
    6. Shahad Ali Al Dhabari & Dr. Gholamreza Chabokrow, 2024. "Environment Sustainable Practices in Higher Education Institutions in Oman," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(1), pages 283-295, January.
    7. Ahmed M. Asfahani, 2023. "Green HRM and Servant Leadership: Driving Competitive Advantage and Environmental Performance in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, May.

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