Semi-Systematic Literature Review on Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Higher Education Institutions

Amila Omazic,Bernd Markus Zunk

doi:10.3390/su13147683

Abstract

Public sector organizations, primarily higher education institutions (HEIs), are facing greater levels of responsibility since adopting and committing to the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development (SD) and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). HEIs are expected to provide guidance for various stakeholders on this matter, but also to implement this agenda and the SDGs in their institutions. Although the role of these organizations has been recognized, the fields and issues that HEIs should address on their path towards sustainability and SD are still unclear. To provide further clarity, a semi-systematic literature review on sustainability and SD in HEIs was conducted to identify both the key concepts and main research themes that represent sustainability and SD in HEIs and to identify research gaps. This review increases our knowledge of this topic and enhances our understanding of sustainability and SD in the context of HEIs.

Highlights

Development in Higher EducationSustainable development (SD) addresses the biggest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century [1]
Most of the remaining articles were published in the journals Sustainability, Environmental Education Research, and Higher Education Policy
An systematic literature review (SSLR) was conducted on sustainability and Sustainable Development (SD) in higher education institutions (HEIs)

Summary

Introduction

Sustainable development (SD) addresses the biggest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century [1]. The crucial role that higher education institutions (HEIs) and education play in contributing to sustainability and SD was formally and internationally recognized in 1972 at the UN Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm [1,2,3,4,5]. The concept of SD was linked to a necessary reform of education systems worldwide at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, when Agenda 21 was adopted [1,6,7,8]. In Agenda 21, HEIs’ vital role in addressing sustainability and SD challenges was acknowledged and greater engagement with the concept of SD was expected [1,6,7,8]. A number of HEIs joined alliances and signed commitments and declarations to integrate sustainability and SD in all aspects of their organizations [1,3,5,6,9]

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion