The role of higher education institutions in sustainability initiatives at the local level

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 Ayanore, Vesela Radovic, Bhumika Gupta (), Salil K. Sen, Arminda Paço, Eleni Michalopoulou, Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim, Hock Lye Koh, Fernanda Frankenberger, Wasan Kanchanamukda, Dênis Da Cunha, Noor Adelyna Mohammed Akib, Amelia Clarke, Tony Wall and Mentore Vaccari
Additional contact information
Walter Filho Leal: European School of Sustainability Science and Research (Hamburg University of Applied Sciences)
Valeria Ruiz Vargas: School of Science and the Environment (Manchester Metropolitan University)
Salvia Amanda Lange: UPF - Universidade de Passo Fundo = University of Passo Fundo
Luciana Londero Brandli: UPF - Universidade de Passo Fundo = University of Passo Fundo
Eric Pallant: Department of Environmental Science and Sustainability (Allegheny College)
Maris Klavins: LU - University of Latvia
Subhasis Ray: Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar (.)
Sara Moggi: UNIVR - Università degli studi di Verona = University of Verona
Marija Maruna: University of Belgrade [Belgrade]
Elisa Conticelli: UNIBO - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna = University of Bologna
Martin Amogre Ayanore: School of Public Health (University of Health and Allied Sciences)
Vesela Radovic: University of Belgrade [Belgrade]
Bhumika Gupta: IMT-BS - MMS - Département Management, Marketing et Stratégie - TEM - Télécom Ecole de Management - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - IMT-BS - Institut Mines-Télécom Business School - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris], LITEM - Laboratoire en Innovation, Technologies, Economie et Management (EA 7363) - UEVE - Université d'Évry-Val-d'Essonne - IMT-BS - Institut Mines-Télécom Business School - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris]
Salil K. Sen: IMT-BS - MMS - Département Management, Marketing et Stratégie - TEM - Télécom Ecole de Management - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - IMT-BS - Institut Mines-Télécom Business School - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris]
Arminda Paço: UBI - University of Beira Interior [Portugal]
Eleni Michalopoulou: University of Bristol [Bristol]
Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim: Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (Universiti Malaysia Sabah)
Hock Lye Koh: Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development (Sunway University)
Fernanda Frankenberger: PUCPR - Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná [Curitiba, Brasil] = Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná [Curitiba, Brazil] = Université catholique pontificale du Paraná [Curitiba, Brésil]
Wasan Kanchanamukda: Thaksin University International College (Thaksin University)
Noor Adelyna Mohammed Akib: USM - Universiti Sains Malaysia
Amelia Clarke: University of Waterloo [Waterloo]
Tony Wall: International Centre for Thriving (University of Chester)
Mentore Vaccari: UniBs - Università degli Studi di Brescia = University of Brescia

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Abstract: Universities are central players and important economic actors in many regions, and many of them are, in general, nationally and internationally active in respect of matters related to sustainable development. But there is a paucity of research which examines their contributions towards sustainability efforts at the local level, i.e. in the places they are situated. This paper addresses this need, by reporting on a qualitative study deploying a Matrix, which allows an analysis and reporting of regional sustainable development initiatives of a set of 22 universities in industrialised and developing countries. Recommendations to enhance their role are provided, including the importance of pursuing partnerships and joint initiatives, understanding the need of local communities, and making their know-how more widely available. The scientific value of this research is related to the understanding of how the interaction between universities and local communities happens and by shedding light to this topic, it supports universities to improve their own actions. Its implications are two-fold: it demonstrates the potential of universities as local players and outlines the range of activities they may engage with, and which may allow them to act as pillars to local sustainability initiatives.

Keywords: Sustainability; Higher education; Engagement; Local initiatives; Sustainable Development Goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019-10
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (21)

Published in Journal of Cleaner Production, 2019, 233, pp.1004 - 1015. ⟨10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.059⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02266237

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.059

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