Publications

Introduction

AASHE’s publications library is the leading repository of reports, journal articles, books, and student research on sustainability in higher education. Certain publication types are entered in the annual AASHE Awards Program.

At a Glance

3944
Total Resources
1903
Organizations
99
Countries
58
U.S. States & Territories
12
Canadian Provinces

Bars in graphs can be clicked to view resources that align with a particular category. Because a resource may be listed under multiple topics and disciplines, graph data may include higher total counts than what is indicated in total resources above.

3944 resources

Assessing college students' sustainability literacy: the development, use, and analysis of an assessment tool

  • Colorado State University (CO)

This dissertation discusses the development, use, and analysis of a knowledge-based multiple-choice sustainability literacy assessment tool used in Spring 2016 at Colorado State University (CSU). CSU is a leading institution ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Sustainability in Higher Education: Comprehensive Tool for Assessing the Sustainability in Higher Educational Institutions

  • Qatar University

Sustainability has received increasing attention in the Higher Education Institutions nowadays. Several sustainability assessment tools have been identified for higher education through previous research. However, there should be further research ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Higher education leadership : professionalism in Finnish higher education in departmental level

  • University of Jyvaskyla (PO Box 35)

Achieving a highly quality educational system without taking the issue of leadership into consideration would be unattainable. Academic leadership has gained more attention during the past few decades and considered ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Green FSC: Creating a Sustainable Campus

  • Florida Southern College (FL)

Colleges and universities account for more than 1.5% of US total annual emissions: understanding how individual institutions can become more sustainable is critical in tackling the existential threat of ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Additional Benefits to Sustainability in Higher Education? The Effect of the American College and University President's Climate Commitment on Undergraduate Admissions Outcomes

  • Colgate University (NY)

Hart assesses the possible impact that signing a campus climate commitment, specifically the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), has on college attractiveness, which is measured in terms ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Higher Education Institutions: a strategy towards sustainability

  • University of Lisbon

The purpose of this paper is to guide higher education institutions (HEIs) in accomplishing sustainability goals while strengthening their associated systems and processes. Pursuing this goal, this study proposes a ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Assessing General Attitudes Towards Sustainability Policies Among Key Stakeholders in Higher Education

  • Appalachian School of Law (VA)
  • Appalachian State University (NC)

This study investigated, through the use of semi-structured interviews, the general attitudes and perceptions held by key stakeholders at Appalachian State University (AppState) towards sustainability policies. Key stakeholders were determined ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Campus Sustainability Plans: A Descriptive Analysis of Sustainability Plans from Institutions of Higher Education in the United States

  • Texas State University System Office (TX)

As the sustainability movement gains traction around the globe, institutions of higher education are increasingly being looked to for leadership. One established method of improving a campus’s environmental, economic ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Looking Beyond Fossil Fuel Divestment: Combating Climate Change in Higher Education

  • Northwestern University (IL)

The fossil fuel divestment movement is altering the landscape of climate activism on US campuses. Student-run divestment campaigns are now pushing for college Boards of Trustees to withdraw investments from ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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The “carbon-neutral university” – a study from Germany

  • University of Greifswald

Nowadays, several higher education institutions around the world are integrating sustainability topics into their daily operations, functionality and education systems. This paper presents a case study from a pilot project ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Mapping sustainability efforts at the Claremont colleges

  • Harvey Mudd College (CA)

The purpose of this study is to map and analyze sustainability activities and relationships at the seven Claremont Colleges and graduate institutions using social network analysis (SNA) to inform sustainability ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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An empirical assessment of administration and planning activity and their impact on the realization of sustainability-related initiatives and programs in higher education

  • Bucknell University (PA)

Administrators in higher-education settings routinely create planning documents that help steer the organization in mission-centric ways. In the area of sustainability planning, strategic plans, sustainability plans and climate action plans ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Recommendations for Preparation of Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases Emission Inventory for University Campuses

  • University of São Paulo

Most of the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change come from urban areas, and cities are at the forefront of low-carbon initiatives, playing a crucial role into ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Sustainable development education, practice, and research: an indigenous model of sustainable development at the College of Menominee Nation, Keshena, WI, USA

  • College of Menominee Nation (WI)

The College of Menominee Nation Sustainable Development Institute’s theoretical model (SDI model) conceptualizes sustainable development as the process of maintaining the balance and reconciling the inherent tensions among six ...

  • Posted Jan. 12, 2021
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Desktop Printer Removal and the Transition to Managed Multi-Function Printers: Benefits and Case Studies

  • Root Solutions (CA)

This document was designed to introduce higher ed staff to the topic of printer consolidation, with an emphasis on the many sustainability and other benefits (especially cost savings) of replacing ...

  • Posted Dec. 29, 2020
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Including sustainability issues in nurse education: A comparative study of first year student nurses' attitudes in four European countries

  • University of Plymouth (Devon)
  • Maastricht University
  • University of Lausanne
  • Hochschule Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
  • University of Jaén

Introduction Education in sustainable development is a goal recognised by a large number of countries and a vital concept in healthcare. It is therefore important that nurse education incorporates elements ...

  • Posted Nov. 10, 2020
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Role of Universities Towards Achieving Climate Change-Related SDGs: Case of Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe

  • University of São Paulo

Institutions of Higher Education, particularly universities contribute immensely to the United Nations landmark 2030 agenda and the achievement of its Sustainable Development Goals—the SDGs. Universities are uniquely placed to ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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A universal method for accounting greenhouse gas emissions from the activities of higher education institutions using a hybrid life-cycle approach

  • University of Southampton

A critical assessment of common organisational greenhouse gas assessment methodologies was undertaken and a gap in knowledge highlighted. Whilst theoretical environmental standards are designed to be universally applicable, their practical ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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An Analysis of Greenhouse-Gas Reduction Commitment, Diffusion and Success in the Higher Education Sector

  • North Carolina A&T State University (NC)

This research evaluates the GHG reduction progress of higher-education institutions (HEIs) working with these organizations. Data on these HEIs was analyzed statistically to answer four questions: First, do the HEIs ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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A Novel Approach For Evaluating The Impact Of Fixed Variables On Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Installations Using Enhanced Meta Data Analysis Among Higher Education Institutions In The United States

  • University of Texas at El Paso (TX)

The global demand for electric energy has continuously increased over the last few decades. Some mature, alternative generation methods are wind, power, photovoltaic panels, biogas and fuel cells. In order ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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Sustainability Performance in American Higher Education: A Multiple Case Study of Four Exemplary Institutions That Participated in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System

  • Florida Atlantic University (FL)

The purpose of this study was to describe the campus sustainability performance at four exemplary higher education institutions, i.e., Doctoral, Master’s, Baccalaureate, and Associate’s, as measured by ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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The carbon footprint of a public university campus in Mexico City

  • Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Azcapotzalco

The Cuajimalpa campus of the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) is located in the western region of Mexico City. In 2016, its global average population (students, faculty and staff) was around ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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Urban and Metropolitan Universities: The Transformative Power of Anchor Institutions

  • Democracy Collaborative (DC)

'Urban and Metropolitan Universities: The Transformative Power of Anchor Institutions' focuses on the role of urban and metropolitan universities as anchor institutions in their community to address long standing inequities ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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Climate change is increasingly causes mental health problems among college students

  • Tufts University (MA)

This is a literature review of peer-reviewed papers, news articles, and polls that illustrate the impacts of climate change on mental health among college students.

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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Better Buildings Challenge Learnings: 3 Ways to Reduce Energy Use on Campus

  • Evolution Energy Partners (PA)

Universities across the country are committing to reduce their energy usage to save money, create jobs, and avoid significant emissions of CO2. By joining the Better Buildings Challenge, universities commit ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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Methods and Effects of Mechanical Ventilation, Ultraviolet Light and Bipolar Ionization on Airborne and Surface Borne Pathogens

  • Evolution Energy Partners (PA)

The advent of SARS-CoV-2, the strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, has changed the way building owners and operators must look at treating the air in their buildings. In ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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Investing in Racial Equity: A Primer for College & University Endowments

  • Intentional Endowments Network (MA)

Investing in racial equity involves developing and committing to business practices that proactively identify and counteract racial inequities within a company or an organization, and allocating capital to intentionally and ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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Toward Sustainable Communities: Solutions for Citizens and Their Governments, 4th edition

  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • Simon Fraser University (BC)

The need to make our communities sustainable is more urgent than ever before. Toward Sustainable Communities remains the single most useful resource for creating vibrant, healthy, equitable, economically viable places ...

  • Posted Oct. 23, 2020
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Economic Inequality and Higher Education

  • Michigan State University (MI)
  • Syracuse University (NY)

The vast disparities in college attendance and graduation rates between students from different class backgrounds is a growing social concern. Economic Inequality and Higher Education investigates the connection between income ...


Connecting Diversity with Sustainability - Penn State Overview

  • Pennsylvania State University (PA)

The Educational Equity Green Team was invited by Penn State’s Sustainability Institute to present a webinar connecting sustainability with diversity as part of the Green Bag Lunch Series on ...


Making the Business Case for Sustainability

  • Environmental Association for Universities & Colleges (EAUC) (Gloucestershire)
  • University of Edinburgh

Sustainability is key to institutional success over the long-term. It provides critical opportunities for value creation and risk mitigation at a time when universities and colleges are looking for ways ...


Social Justice and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand at Northwestern

  • Northwestern University (IL)

Kathia Benitez is the sustainability director of sustainNU, Northwestern University's comprehensive and inclusive sustainability program. She writes about the initiatives at the University that address the triple bottom line ...


Draft Environmental Justice Framework

  • Princeton University (NJ)

We in the Office of Sustainability, as a primarily white staff in a predominately white field, recognize the inherent privilege assigned to us by a broken system. While we cannot ...


Making the Business Case for Campus Sustainability

  • Gordian (SC)

In this report, Sightlines (a Gordian company) highlights how environmental sustainability programs at higher education institutions would reduce operating costs via increased efficiency measures as well as attract sustainability-minded students ...


Harvard College Women's Center Commitment Environmental Justice

  • Harvard University (MA)

The Harvard College Women’s Center values environmental sustainability in our programming and office work/space/management. We acknowledge that neglect and destruction of the natural environment disproportionately affects women ...


Dartmouth Sustainability Office Inclusivity & Diversity Action Plan

  • Dartmouth College (NH)

The Dartmouth Sustainability Office challenges and empowers Dartmouth College and our students to solve the human and environmental problems presented by a rapidly changing planet. We do this via hands ...


Carbon Negative: Reducing Dining’s Carbon Foodprint at Penn State

  • Pennsylvania State University (PA)

Abstract Diet is an often unrecognized, but large contributor to our carbon footprint. An average American diet has a carbon footprint of 1.72 metric tons of CO2-eq every year ...

  • Posted Sept. 11, 2020
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COVID-19 and Sustainability Resources

  • Princeton University (NJ)

The Office of Sustainability has compiled this list of resources to support Princeton University students, faculty and staff as they navigate challenges related to sustainability and COVID-19 at this moment ...

  • Posted Sept. 11, 2020
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The role of planning in implementing sustainable development in a higher education context

  • University of Beira Interior
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz
  • Bournemouth University (Dorset)
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Universität Bonn (Köln)
  • University of Malta (Northern Harbor District)
  • Amirkabir University of Technology
  • University of the Aegean (Lesvos)
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

The implementation of sustainable development in higher education is an important goal, and one which requires much planning. The many recurring problems and barriers that hinder the attainment of sustainable ...

  • Posted Aug. 28, 2020
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Integrative Approaches to Sustainable Development at University Level

  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
  • University of Beira Interior
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • Manchester Metropolitan University

This book documents and compares the experiences of a wide range of universities across the five continents with regard to sustainable development, making it of special interest to sustainability researchers ...

  • Posted Aug. 28, 2020
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Universities of Sanctuary Ireland (UoSI) Guidelines on Becoming a University of Sanctuary

  • Places of Sanctuary Ireland

Places of Sanctuary Ireland has a Universities of Sanctuary Ireland (UoSI) stream, a sister network to the Universities of Sanctuary UK stream, that encourages and celebrates the good practice of ...

  • Posted Aug. 28, 2020
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Universities of Sanctuary Resource Pack

  • City of Sanctuary UK

The City of Sanctuary organization has a Universities of Sanctuary stream that recognizes and celebrates universities that welcome sanctuary seekers into their communities and foster a culture of inclusion.

This ...

  • Posted Aug. 28, 2020
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2020 Higher Education Sustainability Professionals Survey & Report

  • AASHE (PA)

The 2020 report presents the results of the 2020 Higher Education Sustainability Professionals Survey, and serves as an update to our 2017 report. It examines the nature of sustainability positions ...

  • Posted Aug. 24, 2020
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STARS Aligned: Using the Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System to Report on Contributions to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

  • AASHE (PA)

This guide demonstrates how institutions can use the Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System (STARS) to report on their contributions to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Posted July 13, 2020
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Routledge Handbook of Ecocultural Identity

  • Routledge

The Routledge Handbook of Ecocultural Identity (2020) is a timely book, as across the globe more and more of us awake to our always interconnected selves. The Handbook brings the ...

  • Posted July 10, 2020
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Integrating climate and food policies in higher education: a case study of the University of California

  • University of California, Office of the President (CA)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
  • University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)

Most climate change mitigation policies, including those of higher education institutions, do not include food system greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). Yet the food system contributes ~30% of anthropogenic GHGE, mostly ...

  • Posted July 10, 2020
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Addressing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Business-Related Air Travel at Public Institutions: A Case Study of the University of British Columbia

  • University of British Columbia (BC)

Aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, yet is not addressed in most national-, regional-, municipal-, or institutional-level climate action plans. There is a tremendous ...

  • Posted July 10, 2020
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The Ivory Tower Tax Haven: The state, financialization, and the growth of wealthy college endowments

  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)

Popular anxiety about economic inequality has been compounded by the lavish consumption of the super-rich. In the domain of higher education, there are parallel signs of growing popular resentment towards ...

  • Posted July 10, 2020
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Benchmarking Sustainable Engineering Education: Final Report

  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
  • University of Texas at Austin (TX)

The primary objectives of this project were to: (1) identify accredited engineering programs at US institutions that incorporate sustainability concepts into engineering curricula and within these programs characterize the design ...

  • Posted July 10, 2020
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UVM’s Roadmap to Zero Waste: Effective Strategies for Enhancing Zero Waste Management Goals at the University of Vermont

  • University of Vermont (VT)

This senior thesis seeks to provide effective strategies for enhancing Zero Waste management goals at the University of Vermont by incorporating the needs of campus stakeholders. As the global garbage ...

  • Posted July 10, 2020
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