Implementation Of Sustainability Initiatives Research Articles

Sustainability initiatives in higher education institutions: the stakeholder perspectives

PurposeThis paper aims to assess the considerations for implementing sustainability initiatives in higher education institutions (HEIs).Design/methodology/approachIt employs a qualitative approach. It is based on opinions gathered from 272 stakeholders (including authorities and academicians) of HEIs.FindingsNepalese HEIs are facing several challenges, such as the lack of a changing vision and values to create a culture of sustainability initiatives and the socioeconomic and cultural gaps between policy sources and implementation approaches for sustainability. Therefore, they need to consider several sustainability initiatives to improve their performance and competitiveness. Effective leadership, learning culture, sustainability-related policy, effective HRM, organizational structure, supportive culture, technology, rewards, and university-academia-industry linkages are the key prerequisites for implementing sustainability initiatives. Thus, HEIs must make substantial investments in such aspects. Furthermore, they have to focus on sustainability initiative context, feasible strategies, and actionable/practical solutions to implement sustainability initiatives that help in achieving performance outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsIt is solely based on the opinions of authorities and academicians of Nepalese HEIs. Since it was carried out in the Nepalese context, results might vary at other times and in other nations.Practical implicationsIt serves as a wake-up message to HEIs' officials about the barricades associated with sustainability initiatives and also addresses important requirements for putting such initiatives into practice.Originality/valueIt provides a holistic framework to initiate sustainability in HEIs to help them achieve expected outcomes.

The role of organizational culture and structure in implementing sustainability initiatives

AbstractTo address the multiple grand challenges facing humanity, there is an urgent need for businesses to become more sustainable. This study explores the implementation of sustainability initiatives through an interview‐based single case study of an organization in the food and beverage industry. Specifically, this study adopts a Natural‐Resource‐Based View of the firm to examine the role of organizational culture and structure in the implementation process. It argues that to successfully implement sustainability initiatives, a flexible structure and a green organizational culture grounded in a shared sustainability vision are essential. The findings reveal that, despite the in‐practice flat organizational structure of the case organization, there was limited knowledge of the organization's sustainability vision among organizational members across all organizational levels. This could be attributed to a lack of internal communication within the organization, which constitutes a barrier to the successful dissemination of green values throughout the organization's family‐like, inclusive, and diverse work environment. This study proposes a three‐part approach for practitioners attempting to implement sustainability initiatives: (1) enhance organizational awareness and communication of the sustainability vision; (2) cultivate a green organizational culture; and (3) advocate for a collaborative, inclusive and decentralized approach to fostering sustainability. This approach is vital not only for sustaining the organization's competitive advantage but also for achieving improved environmental and social outcomes.

Active Learning, Living Laboratories, Student Empowerment, and Urban Sustainability

In schools and universities, we instructors carry the responsibility of informing and inspiring students. Traditional and more theoretical educational programs (here referred to as passive learning) may be tied to projects and activities (active learning), in which students gain hands-on practical experience with planning, development, implementation, maintenance, and presentation of different solution-focused activities. Complementary to passive learning, the needs for active learning activities and living laboratories have become more pertinent as global trends, such as climate change, weigh heavily on the shoulders of young people. Unless properly guided and given tangible sources of inspiration, the sense of being overwhelmed and incapable of effectively contributing to a more sustainable future may cast a dark shadow over students, their ability to engage in active learning, and their long-term career aspirations. Schools and universities are being evaluated for their “greenness”. Accordingly, operational improvements (carbon, water, waste, and nutrient footprints) to meet sustainability targets are being implemented. Structural sustainability improvements represent unique opportunities for students and instructors to engage in active learning. As a broader message to school and university administrators, it is argued that efforts to plan and implement sustainability initiatives should also involve transformations of educational curricula. It is argued that educational institutions could and should be more than sums of buildings and infra-structure and represent living laboratories. Descriptions of topics taught, learning outcomes, and links to examples of student assignments of a specific course, Urban Food and Society, are included and discussed in the broader contexts of urban food sustainability and active learning. The main purpose of this article is to promote the notion that active learning activities and the need for improved sustainability of schools and universities can go hand in hand and provide compelling educational opportunities.

Building Urban Resilience through Mega-Events: A Systematic Review using Text Mining and Natural Language Processing (NLP)

This research aims to explore the link between urban resilience and urban mega-events and to better understand how effective planning, sustainable development, and social capital can be used to enhance urban resilience. The research will seek to explore how urban mega-events can be planned in ways that not only explode economic impacts but also promote strategies for enhancing resilience in cities. To investigate the relationship between urban resilience and mega-events, a systematic review of the existing literature (2500 articles) was carried out. To investigate the relationship between urban resilience and mega-events, we conducted a systematic review of 2500 articles, but we acknowledge the limitations of qualitatively reviewing such a large number of publications. Therefore, we differentiated between keyword analysis and systematic literature analysis for identifying success factors and good practices. After that, eleven articles on different aspects of urban resilience and mega-events were analyzed using lexical analysis (text mining) to measure and quantify the sentiment of the articles. We are conscious of the fact that 11 articles are not enough for the corpus analyzed, but we have tried to make a sample and a selection according to the theme, the keywords, and the most cited in the bibliometric search so that this selection is as representative as possible. A hierarchical analysis was also used to group the articles into comparable groups. The results of this analysis provided a better understanding of common views on urban resilience, the implications of mega-events on urban areas, and ways to improve the resilience of cities. According to the findings, adequate organization and action planning are essential for the successful development of cities hosting mega-events. In particular, the implementation of sustainability initiatives is imperative to ensure long-term resilience. In conclusion, future research must focus on the current understanding of mega-events and their influence on urban resilience and look at their long-term impacts. It should be conducted in different contexts, taking into account the various aspects of equity involved in these events.

Green threads of change: Unravelling the gendered and experienced moderators in the sustainable symphony of green HR practices and environmental responsibility

This study employs a quantitative methodology to investigate the intricate relationships between Green Human Resource (HR) Practices, Green Culture, and Environmental Sustainability. The independent variable, Green HR Practices, is delineated into four components: green recruitment, green training, green reward, and green empowerment. The mediating role of Green Culture is explored in the context of two dependent variables: Proactive Organization-Centered Environmental Sustainability and Reactive Organization Eco-Centric Environmental Sustainability. Additionally, gender and experience are introduced as moderators, influencing the relationship between Green Culture and the two dimensions of Environmental Sustainability. Utilizing a purposive sampling technique, data were collected from 357 participants from industries in Pakistan. The analysis was conducted using Warp-PLS 8.0 software. The results reveal significant direct and indirect effects of Green HR Practices on both and, with Green Culture acting as a mediator. The study further unveils the moderating influence of gender and experience on the relationship between Green Culture and Environmental Sustainability. Key findings include the identification of specific Green HR Practices that significantly impact environmental outcomes. The mediating role of Green Culture elucidates the pathway through which these practices influence sustainability. The moderation effects of gender and experience underscore the nuanced nature of these relationships, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies. The study contributes to the growing literature on sustainable HR practices by offering insights into the mechanisms driving environmental sustainability within organizations. The findings have practical implications for HR practitioners, highlighting the importance of cultivating green organizational culture and considering individual differences in the implementation of sustainability initiatives.

The structural modelling of significant organisational and individual factors for promoting sustainable campus in Saudi Arabia

IntroductionIn recent years, campus sustainability has gained global prominence, with a focus on sustainability initiatives and environmental activities within university campuses. This study aims to explore the factors contributing to the expansion of sustainability initiatives in Saudi Arabian university campuses.MethodsThe research utilizes the Interpretive Structural Model (ISM) as a framework for public universities. A literature review incorporating rational choice theory (RCT) and organizational change theory (OCT) is conducted to identify variables relevant to campus sustainability. The hierarchical interrelationships among these variables are examined, and the Matrice d’Impacts Croises-Multiplication Appliqué and Classment Analysis (MICMAC) categorize the study variables. Associations between the variables are validated through expert consultations from selected case study institutions.ResultsThe findings highlight the significance of organizational structure and decision-making processes in determining the prevalence of other sustainability-related variables. Organizational structure and decision-making processes are recognized as key factors exerting significant influence over other variables. Additionally, leadership is categorized as a linkage variable, representing a strong relationship within the hierarchical model.DiscussionThe study acknowledges the challenges in implementing sustainability initiatives, including conflicts in strategic planning, absence of campus sustainability policies and regulations, financial barriers, and lack of support from leadership. The study offers valuable insights and recommendations for stakeholders involved in sustainability initiatives within higher education institutions, particularly university leaders and decision makers in facility and project management departments (F&PM). By addressing the organizational and decision-based factors, effective integration of sustainability practices into university planning and activities can be achieved. This research contributes to filling the knowledge gap regarding the factors influencing the implementation of sustainability in Saudi Arabian higher education institutions (HEIs). The study emphasizes the importance of addressing organizational structure, decision-making processes, and leadership in order to successfully implement sustainability practices on university campuses.

Case Study: A Practitioner Perspective on Implementation of Sustainability Initiatives at the University of California, Davis

For over a century, the University of California (UC), Davis campus has been a living laboratory to innovate and implement scalable solutions to sustainability challenges. Four recent sustainability efforts reviewed in this case study include the first Fossil Fuel Free Pathway Plan in the UC, a Voluntary University Review of UC Davis’ contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Big Shift project to lower the district heating carbon footprint, and the climate change-driven Living Landscape Adaptation Plan. Sustained engagement of all sectors of the campus community is critical to successful adoption of these initiatives. Key success drivers include: a) use of data-driven decision making; b) intensivecollaboration among many stakeholders, c) inclusion of faculty and students as active participants, and d) an emphasis on sharing best practices and findings

Barriers to Corporate Sustainability in the U.S.

Sustainability is critical to the future success of businesses; those that do not implement sustainability initiatives may lose customers, investors, and/or profits. This study examines barriers to corporate sustainability, measured through the four dimensions of the Prism of Sustainability (environmental, social, economic, and institutional), a framework of sustainability not commonly used in business research. An online survey of sustainability managers from a variety of industries in the United States distributed in the spring of 2021 yielded a total of 361 responses. Results reveal that lack of leadership and lack of governance were the most predominant barriers to corporate sustainability. Surprisingly, the most frequently cited barrier in the literature—resources—was not identified as a significant barrier for U.S. companies. The impact of the pandemic was also qualitatively explored to see if such constraints might have a nuanced effect on corporate sustainability efforts. This research expands the contexts in which the Prism of Sustainability is applied in business studies, highlighting it as a means to assess corporate sustainability. Results provide important managerial implications, highlighting the importance of measures to govern the organization’s sustainability effort and the critical role leadership plays. Sustainable management is a necessity for business, and therefore, addressing barriers to achieving it will be imperative for companies’ futures.

"Exploring Sustainable Practices in Five-Star Hotels: A Comprehensive Analysis and Implications for Agra's Hospitality Industry"

This research is dedicated to outlining the sustainable practices embraced by hotels, gauging their potency in cultivating a competitive edge, and exploring their ramifications for various hotel stakeholders. Focusing on the context of Agra's five-star hotels, this study undertakes an assessment of their sustainable endeavors. A comprehensive survey encompassing 252 employees from the city's 13 five-star hotels was conducted. Through this survey, we endeavored to discern the sustainable practices undertaken across these establishments in the realms of economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Moreover, we aimed to gauge the extent to which these practices have been seamlessly integrated into their operations. Concurrently, we also undertook an exploration of the correlation between employee satisfaction and the implementation of sustainability initiatives.

Assessing the current sustainability initiatives of Canadian SME restaurants

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate what sustainability initiatives are being implemented by Canadian independent restaurants and to determine if the initiatives represent all 10 categories of a sustainable restaurant as established by a sustainability initiative framework.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a qualitative approach of semi-structured interviews with 15 small to medium enterprise (SME), independent restaurant owners and operators across Canada. The data was digitally transcribed and thematic analysis was performed.FindingsResults indicated that most initiatives aligned with the categories of “sustainable food/menu” and “waste reduction and disposables” which shows that the operators were inclined to pursue initiatives in customer view. Restaurants put limited focus on water supply, chemicals and pollution reduction, furniture and construction materials. Some of the barriers to implementing, measuring and learning about initiatives were: cost, lack of access to programs, supply chain complications, not having buy-in from owners and lack of time to implement.Practical implicationsThe study recommends that governments provide incentives to implement sustainability initiatives that are out of sight to the customer. For example, implementing composting, energy efficient equipment and water saving processes. It is also recommended that third-party restaurant organizations provide more accurate, evidence-based guidance and education on implementing a wide-range of sustainability initiatives.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the literature on sustainability in restaurants and applies a sustainability initiative framework in a practical context. The study provides a unique assessment of the current state of restaurant sustainability and states where restaurants need to improve their efforts.

Perceptions of the academic community on the performance of sustainable development initiatives in higher education

AbstractSince the UN Conference on the Human Environment was held in Stockholm in 1972, higher education institutions (HEIs) have been adapting to assume their social role in supporting societies in promoting sustainable lifestyles. However, HEIs are complex institutions composed of several interdependent subsystems. Sustainable improvement requires holistic assessment measures to comply with established goals. To date, few studies have focused on comparing the different perceptions of sustainability in HEIs and considering the views of the academic community in shaping the efforts and better disseminating sustainable development initiatives. To fill this gap, this work aimed to implement a methodology that compares the perceptions of sustainability and the implemented actions among members of HEIs to show the discrepancies between perceptions and facts. Many studies report either the perception of members of the academic community or the technical assessment of the sustainable performance of the institution in isolation. The novelty of this work lies in developing a tool that allows the use of a similar scale to compare the perception of users of academic services with the valuation attributed by technicians responsible for implementing sustainable development initiatives at HEIs. Analysing of these results enables the identification of dimensions with discrepancies, guiding managers as they carry out actions to promote greater community engagement in implementing sustainability initiatives that boost the consolidation of these values in the institutional culture. Additionally, it is highlighted that the proposed methodology could be adapted for use in other types of institutions, maintaining the same benefits described here.

Impact of Sustainability Reporting on Financial Performance

(1) Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Sustainability Reporting (SR) and financial performance and put forward the effect of the SR on financial performance. (2) Methodology: In order to test our hypothesis that financial performance increases the likelihood of firms reporting sustainability, a regression model was built based on the data of firms included in the Borsa Istanbul Stock Market Sustainability Index. Independent variables included in the model are Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) values, which are considered as financial performance indicators. Application of sustainable report is a dependent variable of the model. (3) Results: Company size had a positive effect on sustainability activities, while profitability had no significant effect. Large firms were usually more willing to play a role in social and environmental issues and explain their strategies on these issues. (4) Conclusions: It is important for firms to implement sustainability initiatives inside the firms from a strategic point of view, not as a result of pressure from stakeholders, such as official institutions, non-governmental organizations, suppliers or consumers. (5) Implications: With the linear regression estimation performed, the causal relationship between sustainability and financial performance has quantitatively demonstrated the positive effect of sustainability on financial performance. The main purpose of the study is to reveal the importance of publishing a sustainability report for firms and raise their awareness, thus examining the long-term effects of publishing the report. It is suggested that future research may investigate possible differences of sustainability according to the development levels of markets and countries.

Drivers for Sustainable Supply Chain Management and the Practices in Ethiopian Apparel Industries

Environmental, social, and economic concerns in the apparel manufacturing industries have grown in recent years. The sustainability of the apparel supply chain management in developing countries is characterized by operations highly hazardous to the environment and unethical to society and of important economic value. Studies showed that socioeconomic and cultural differences in different countries affect the success of sustainability practices. Therefore, extensive research is required to measure the current challenges of sustainable practices from environmental, social, and economic perspectives of the apparel industry. Due to unsustainable practices, competitiveness in export and local markets is low in the Ethiopian apparel industries. This paper explores the effect of different factors on the sustainable practices of Ethiopian apparel manufacturing industries. A conceptual framework was formulated to measure sustainable practices. Questionnaires, interviews, and secondary data sources were used for data collection. The data are prepared and pretested for reliability. Integrated interpretive structural modelling and structural equation modelling techniques have been employed for model building and data analyses to see the relationship between the challenges and the existing practices. The proposed model was validated using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The Bootstrapping technique in smart partial least square ensures the reliability of the data for small sample size. The result showed a significant relationship between the factors and sustainable practices. All the environmental, economic, and social perspectives were statistically tested and found significant atpvalues of 0.05. Sustainable practice in the apparel manufacturing supply chain was found to be low with a mean value of three. This performance is far below the average standard in developing and developed countries. This research provides customized areas of intervention from environmental and social aspects that recognize the societal difference towards sustainability awareness and motivation to implement sustainability initiatives in Ethiopian apparel manufacturing industries. This research could provide awareness for business owners and policymakers and help understand the limitations of existing sustainability practices and the need for interventions. Therefore, apparel manufacturing industries could be potential sourcing destinations for global apparel manufacturing industries.

Operation clean up: A model for eco-leadership and sustainability implementation.

Healthcare contributes to environmental harm. Trainee-led Research and Audit in Anaesthesia for Sustainable Healthcare (TRA2SH) is an Australasian network focused on sustainable anaesthesia practice. TRA2SH hypothesised that trainee-led audits alongside education presented on a scheduled national day, called Operation Clean Up, can improve engagement with sustainability initiatives. This paper aims to describe the first two years of Operation Clean Up in terms of goals, achievements and data collected so far. Environmental themes for Operation Clean Up were chosen based on available evidence (life cycle analyses and observational studies). The first Operation Clean Up (OCU 2020) focused on reducing the unnecessary use of single-use disposable absorbent pads (known as 'blueys' in Australia, 'greenies' in New Zealand). OCU 2021 included: refuse desflurane, reduce bluey use, reuse drug trays, and recycle paper and cardboard. TRA2SH provided an information pack to trainees who presented educational material to their department and fed back procurement figures to quantify each item. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse de-identified pooled data submitted to a centralised database.Eight departments submitted data for OCU 2020 and six provided follow-up data. Bluey use was reduced from a median of 37 to 34 blueys per ten surgical encounters. Fifteen departments submitted pre-campaign data for OCU 2021 with follow-up data to be collected during OCU 2022. Baseline data showed a median bluey use of 31 per ten surgical encounters. Volatile-related emissions were calculated; desflurane's proportion was 70% of these emissions yet was 11% of volatile procurement. Two participating departments removed desflurane from their formulary following OCU 2021. Operation Clean Up is a practical model for implementing sustainability initiatives using trainees as eco-leaders.

SUSTAINABLE FINANCE: THE ROLE OF INDIAN BANKS IN ACHIEVING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS -2022

Sustainable Finance is a comparatively new development in the Banking sector. Financial institutions support eco-friendly investments and provide preference to sectors that have already switched to a greener economy or are making an effort to do so. Sustainable Finance is fundamental and paramount; it allows us to provide conditions for implementing sustainability initiatives. In this study, we audit the role of Sustainable finance advancements in India and how the Indian banking sector can contribute toward SDGs. The methodology used is a theoretical framework based on updated literature reviews on sustainable Finance. Secondary sources include the reports on SDGs 2022, Responsible banking, Sustainable Finance, and Reserve Bank of India notifications. The survey's findings demonstrate the significance of "going green" and the urgency of promoting sustainable funding. For this move, the banks could alter the legal framework, promote sustainable banking products, or incorporate climate change considerations into their monetary and financial policy operations.

Implementing sustainability via organizational learning: case study of a French business school

PurposeThis study aims to clarify how higher educational institutions (HEI now onwards) can engage in organizational learning process to implementing sustainability initiatives. Through the case study of business school in France, it shows how sustainability integration is a longitudinal process, influenced by contextual factors which facilitate and impede the learning process. It aims to contribute to the literature of sustainability in higher education by bringing in insights from organizational learning theory.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses the case study method to analyze the sustainability integration over the specific period. To do so, data was compiled by analyzing internal documents, publicly available sustainability reports. Further data was also complimented by the interviews, which gave intra-organizational level insights.FindingsThe case highlights that organizational learning for sustainability is stimulated by deans, faculty and institute of sustainability. It provides insights about how designing and implementing sustainability initiatives within an HEI is not a fixed goal; on the contrary, it is an ongoing learning process. However, this learning is also prone to barriers due to the ambiguous nature of sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsThis research was conducted within a specific time, geographical and cultural context; hence, its result may lack generalization. Further comparative research is encouraged to explore similarity and differences within different HEI settings.Practical implicationsThis research also gives potential insights for developing contextual awareness to prioritize, design and implement sustainability initiatives. Thus, it may be useful for the HEI administrators such as deans, sustainability managers and faculty members.Social implicationsThis case emphasizes that HEI like business schools need to expand their relevance via social responsibility. This could be done so by encouraging leadership to engage with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Originality/valueThis research uses organizational learning theory to understand determinants of sustainability design and implementation at French HEI. In doing so, this research contributes macro-level process of sustainability integration of an HEI.

Drivers of environmental and social sustainability accounting practices in Nigeria: a corporate governance perspective

PurposeThis study aims to investigate corporate governance mechanisms affecting environmental and social sustainability accounting practice (SAP). Four internal (quality of information technology [QIT], market orientation, business strategy and structure of accounting department) and two external (environmental uncertainty and market competition) governance mechanisms were examined.Design/methodology/approachThe population of the study is comprised of 56 publicly listed manufacturing companies on the Mainboard of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Data were collected using a questionnaire which was completed by senior finance personnel in each company in the sample. Structural equation modelling, logistic regression and quantile regression analysis were used to analyse data.FindingsThe results show that the extent to which Nigerian companies have implemented SAP is moderate. The authors find that the level of SAP implementation is significantly associated with market orientation and business strategy, but not with the QIT and structure of accounting department. The results also show that both external corporate governance mechanisms (i.e. environmental uncertainty and intensity of competition) have no significant effect on SAP.Practical implicationsThe insignificant influence of external corporate governance mechanisms on SAP corroborates the contention that external pressure on companies to implement sustainability initiatives in developing countries is weak.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on sustainability in developing countries and incrementally adds to knowledge on the corporate governance mechanisms driving SAP in jurisdictions characterised by lax regulatory framework and weak institutional apparatus on sustainability.

Open Total Quality Management in the Circular Economy age: a social enterprise perspective through the case of Patagonia

To better implement sustainability initiatives in the Circular Economy (CE) age, benefiting of Total Quality Management (TQM) principles, the category of Social Enterprises (SE) manifests an enormous potential. Nonetheless, the above views have been lightly researched, providing research gaps in at least three areas: (1) TQM as an open model, expanded, and boundaryless that involves stakeholders in the value chain through value co-creation processes; (2) TQM and CE and (3) TQM and SE. Through this paper, we reconceptualize TQM with the lens of viable systems approach, CE and SE, while concluding with an illustrative case study and COVID-19 implications. Methodologically, we apply the inductive approach through the illustrative case of Patagonia by emphasizing also how COVID-19 influenced quality management and company-level circularity. This study revealed that the common denominator of TQM, CE and SE is the Triple Bottom Line (i.e. economic, social and environmental sustainability). Also, the concept of ‘value’ was another unifying notion, especially the value co-creation, social value and shared value. ESG implications showed that companies like Patagonia went through profit shrinking to safeguard societal and environmental welfare, with supply chain implications that involved factory workers and partners.

Achieving Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality in Higher Education Institutions: A Review

Universities and higher education institutions play an important role in achieving a sustainable future through their teaching and by undertaking cutting edge research to combat climate change. There have been several efforts towards a sustainable future and achieving carbon neutrality at higher education institutions in Australia and around the world. This study has reviewed the sustainability strategies of numerous universities in Australia and has identified as study cases six universities that are committed to and leading the implementation of initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality. The initiatives implemented at the selected universities were classified into eight “sustainability categories”, namely, built environment, energy, food and gardens, GHG emissions, natural environment, resource and waste management, transport, and water. Among the selected leading universities in sustainability, Charles Sturt University and the University of Tasmania (UTAS) are the only universities in Australia certified as carbon neutral. An interesting aspect of this review is the way in which universities are implementing sustainability initiatives in line with their mission and strategies. Despite striving towards the same end goal of achieving carbon neutrality, different institutions offer individually unique approaches towards sustainability. For example, UTAS values the creation, expansion and dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of continual learning, which is clearly demonstrated through its initiatives and policies. The findings in this review are critical in identifying those institutions of higher education which are role models in their strong commitment to achieving carbon neutrality. Such role model universities can pave the way for similar climate action at other universities.

Interpreting banks’ sustainability initiatives as reputational risk management and mechanisms for coping, re-embedding and rebuilding societal trust

PurposeThis paper aims to contribute to a growing literature in sustainable and green banking by exploring the views of senior banking representatives towards the implementation of sustainability initiatives through extensive interview research. The authors explore the extent to which such initiatives are embedded within the banking industry, whether they represent risk management mechanisms and whether they are imbued with reputational risk management rather than a genuine response to ethical societal concerns.Design/methodology/approachQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with UK bank managers. The interviewees’ utterances are interpreted through a sociological theoretical lens derived from the study of Giddens and Beck, allowing us to conclude that external initiatives such as the Equator Principles seem to be adopted as re-embedding mechanisms that can rebuild societal trust, as well as representing mechanisms of reputational risk management.FindingsThe analysis suggested that internal sustainability initiatives were interpreted as coping mechanisms whereby bank employees can recreate their protective cocoon, reinstating their ontological security in response to the high consequence risks of climate change and other related systemic factors that create overwhelming feelings of engulfment.Originality/valueUsing Beck’s risk society theory as a theoretical lens through which to interpret the interview data allows a number of concluding comments and suggestions to be made. The findings resonate with earlier research into institutional investors’ attitudes towards climate change that found their engagement and dialogue with companies around climate change issues to be imbued with a risk discourse: their initiatives and actions were dominated by risk management motivations.