Strategies for developing sustainable communities in higher education institutions

Abstract

Higher education institutions (HEIs), based on learning, innovation, and research, can support the progress of civil society. Many HEIs are implementing sustainability practices and projects to counteract climate change, often involving youth participation. The present study aimed at identifying how sustainable communities may be fostered in a university setting. To that end, a questionnaire was administered to engineering students at the start and end of a course on energy issues, assessing their perceptions of sustainability using multi-criteria decision analysis. The results showed that students placed greater value on sustainability at the end of the course. Additionally, the findings highlight that the implementation of projects aimed at tackling real problems may be useful for disseminating knowledge and sustainable practices. The main implications of this study indicate that sustainable communities in academia lay on six foundational pillars: sustainable education, energy (and resource) independence, subsidies in support of the green economy, initiatives aimed at reducing the carbon footprint, energy community development, and new green professional opportunities.

How can “Katowice as European City of Science” change Silesia region: Recognising perspectives of private companies

“…Universities act as incubators for new ideas and solutions, contributing significantly to the social, economic and environmental development of their regions. Their research and collaborative efforts with various stakeholders translate into practical, sustainable solutions, addressing regional needs (Biancardi et al, 2023). Moreover, sustainable development highlights the importance of cultivating relationships with stakeholders and the local governance instruments' development, which requires more involvement of stakeholders (Zeemering, 2018).…”

Identifying American climate change free riders and motivating sustainable behavior

“…This survey-based methodological approach is used extensively to study sustainable communities and public opinion regarding climate change 5 , 6 , 38 . In the next subsection we discuss in more detail the key survey questions that we use in our analysis.…”

“…This effort to motivate collective pro-environmental behavior is rooted in the evolving definitions of sustainable communities 3 , 4 . For example, Biancardi et al 5 present a comprehensive overview of sustainable energy communities and state that such communities strive for net-zero action with a broader contribution to the advancement of a green economy. There are specific social and structural arrangements needed to stabilize such communities influenced by family and social networks 6 , 7 .…”

Entrepreneurial education and its role in fostering sustainable communities

“…Instead, pursuing sustainability necessitates looking beyond self-interest and addressing social and economic aspects 1 , 2 . Thinking ahead means ensuring the next generation has at least as many opportunities as the current one 3 . The next generation's new models for balancing ecosystems—which combine socioeconomic development and environmental protection—may be sparked by sustainable education and trust 4 .…”