Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development: Perceptions of Higher Education Institution’s Stakeholders

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development in Higher Education

Part of the book series: World Sustainability Series ((WSUSE))

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the main stakeholders of Portuguese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) perceive the commitment of HEIs related to: (a) teaching sustainable development Sustainable Development (SD) across all courses, (b) encouraging research and dissemination of SD knowledge, (c) implementing green campuses and supporting local sustainability efforts, and (d) engaging and sharing information with international networks (as defined in Higher Education Sustainability Initiative, United Nations). Through a qualitative approach (semi-structured interviews and content analysis), we explore the perspectives of twenty stakeholders from four Portuguese public HEIs (leaders, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders). The results show that all stakeholders see teaching SD across all courses as a necessity, but they have different visions about how to implement it. Concerning the research and dissemination of SD knowledge, they defend that both should be encouraged and transversal to all HEIs. About implementing green campuses and supporting local sustainability efforts, stakeholders agree that is important, but the practical results, in the Portuguese HEIs analysed, fail to achieve an acceptable degree. As a long term objective, the motivation for engaging and sharing information with international networks is latent.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aleixo, A. M., Azeiteiro, U. M., & Leal, S. (2016). Toward sustainability through higher education: Sustainable development incorporation into portuguese higher education institutions. In: J.P. Davim, & W. Leal Filho (Eds.), Challenges in Higher Education for Sustainability (pp. 159–187). London: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alonso-Almeida, M. M., Marimon, F., Casani, F., & Rodriguez-Pomeda, J. (2015). Diffusion of sustainability reporting universities: Current situation and future perspectives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 44–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtsson, M. (2016). How to plan and perform a qualitative study using content analysis. Nursing Plus Open, 2, 8–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beynaghi, A., Moztarzadeh, F., Maknoon, R., Waas, T., Mozafari, M., Huge, J., et al. (2014). Towards an orientation of higher education in the post Rio+ 20 process: How is the game changing? Futures, 63, 49–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cebrian, G., Grace, M., & Humphris, D. (2015). Academic staff engagement in education for sustainable development. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 79–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortese, A. D. (2003). The critical role of higher education in creating a sustainable future. Planning for Higher Education, 31(3), 15–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disterheft, A., Caeiro, S., Azeiteiro, U. M., & Leal Filho, W. (2013). Sustainability science and education for sustainable development in universities: A way for transition. In S. Caeiro, W. Leal Filho, C. Jabbour, & U. M. Azeiteiro (Eds.), Sustainability assessment tools in Higher Education Institutions: Mapping trends and good practices around the World (pp. 3–28). Cardiff, UK: Springer International Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission. (2015). Horizon 2020. http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/what-horizon-2020. Last Accessed March 23, 2016.

  • Figueredo, F. R., & Tsarenko, Y. (2013). Is “being green” a determinant of participation in university sustainability initiatives? International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 14(3), 242–253.  

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fridlund, B., & Hildingh, C. (2000). Health and qualitative analysis methods. In: B. Fridlund & C. Hildingh (Eds.), Qualitative research, methods in the service of health (pp. 13–25). Lund: Studentlitteratur.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jongbloed, B., Enders, J., & Salerno, C. (2008). Higher education and its communities: Interconnections, interdependencies and a research agenda. Higher Education, 56, 303–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jorge, M. L., Madueno, J. H., Cejas, M. Y. C., & Peña, F. (2015). An approach to the implementation of sustainability practices in Spanish Universities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 34–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamal, A. S. M., & Asmuss, M. (2013). Benchmarking tools for assessing and tracking sustainability in higher educational institutions: Identifying an effective tool for the University of Saskatchewan. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 14(4), 449–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kościelniak, C. (2014). A consideration of the changing focus on the sustainable development in higher education in Poland. Journal of Cleaner Production, 62, 114–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krizek, K. J., Newport, D., White, J., & Townsend, A. R. (2012). Higher education’s sustainability imperative: How to practically respond? International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 13(1), 19–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leal Filho, W. (2011). About the role of universities and their contribution to sustainable development. Higher Education Policy, 24, 427–438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leal Filho, W. (2015). Education for sustainable development in higher education: Reviewing Needs. In: W. Leal Filho (Ed.), Transformative Approaches to Sustainable Development at Universities (pp. 13–12). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leal Filho, W., Manolas, E., & Pace, P. (2015). The future we want: Key issues on sustainable development in higher education after Rio and the UN decade of education for sustainable development. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 16(1), 112–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lozano, R. (2010). Diffusion of sustainable development in universities curricula: An empirical example from Cardiff University. Journal Clean Production, 18(10), 637–644.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nejati, M., & Nejati, M. (2013). Assessment of sustainable university factors from the perspective of university students. Journal of Cleaner Production, 48, 101–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Popescu, M., & Beleau, C. (2014). Improving management of sustainable development in universities. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov, 7(56), 97–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sammalisto, K., Sundstrom, A., & Holm, T. (2015). Implementation of sustainability in universities as perceived by faculty and staff e a model from a Swedish University. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 45–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibbel, A. (2009). Pathways towards sustainability through higher education. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 10(1), 68–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stephens, J. C., Hernandez, M. E., Roman, M., Graham, A. C., & Scholz, R. W. (2008). Higher education as a change agent for sustainability in different cultures and contexts. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 9(3), 317–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO. (2005). United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005–2014): International Implementation Scheme. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001486/148654E.pdf. Last Accessed 23 March 2016.

  • UNESCO. (2006). Framework for the UN DESD International Implementation Scheme. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001486/148650E.pdf. Last Accessed 23 March 2016.

  • United Nations. (2012). The future we want: Outcome document of the United Nations. Paper presented at the Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio de Janeiro. http://www.uncsd2012.org/content/documents/727The%20Future%20We%20Want%2019%20June%201230pm.pdf. Last Accessed March 23, 2016.

  • Waas, T., Verbruggen, A., & Wright, T. (2010). University research for sustainable development: Definition and characteristics explored. Journal of Cleaner Production, 18, 629–636.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wals, A. E. J. (2014). Sustainability in higher education in the context of the UN DESD: A review of learning and institutionalization processes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 62, 8–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyness, L., & Sterling, S. (2015). Reviewing the incidence and status of sustainability in degree programmes at Plymouth University. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 16(2), 237–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Aberta, Rua da Escola Politécnica, no. 141-147, 1269-001, Lisbon, Portugal

    Ana Marta Aleixo

  2. CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    Ulisses Miranda Azeiteiro

  3. Polytechnic Institute of Santarém & Life Quality Research Centre, Complexo Andaluz, Apartado 279, 2001-904, Santarém, Portugal

    Susana Leal

Authors
  1. Ana Marta Aleixo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ulisses Miranda Azeiteiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Susana Leal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Marta Aleixo .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. FTZ-ALS, HAW Hamburg , Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro , Aveiro, Portugal

    Ulisses M. Azeiteiro

  3. DCSG, CEF, Universidade de Coimbra and Universidade Aberta, PT, Porto, Portugal

    Fátima Alves

  4. Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom

    Petra Molthan-Hill

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Aleixo, A.M., Azeiteiro, U.M., Leal, S. (2017). UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development: Perceptions of Higher Education Institution’s Stakeholders. In: Leal Filho, W., Azeiteiro, U., Alves, F., Molthan-Hill, P. (eds) Handbook of Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development in Higher Education. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47877-7_28

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation