Higher Education Institutions as Drivers of Sustainable …
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harm to the environment and integrate sustainability-related issues into their main
functions like research, teaching and service operations. Velazquez et al. (2006)
brings a general definition by authors that define a higher education institution as
one that manages and promotes, at regional and global scales, the reduction of negative effects on the environmental; economical; social and health spheres, due to the
use of resources to perform their basic functions, thus helping society to adopt more
sustainable lifestyles.
Clugston and Calder (2000) indicate that HEIs should implement practices that
include their commitment to sustainability through written statements in their mission and purpose, as well incorporate sustainability concepts into their courses and
academic research and encourage students to critically analyze environmental issues.
These can have positive effects overall, in culture, employment and adding value to
the regions’ products; but also might have negative impacts, when resources as water
and energy are not managed properly (Madeira et al. 2011).
In this article, the concept of Community Higher Education Institution is used,
represented by the study case in the Brazilian HEI Unisul. According to Brazilian law
nº 12.881 (Brazil 2013), passed in 12 November 2013, Community Higher Education
Institutions are organizations of Brazilian civil society constituted as associations
or foundations, with the legal personality of a private firm, which invest all their
resources in Brazil to achieve institutional goals. They must act with transparency
and responsibility and bring benefits for communities, promoting activities of public
interest, offering free services to the population and institutionalizing permanent
outreach programs and community action to help the formation and development of
students and society.
3.1 Living Labs, Green Campus and the Role of Universities
The application of sustainability within HEIs should frame and establish a sustainable agenda by adapting its internal processes, so that there is energy and water
efficiency, waste management, green operations and sustainable buildings (Berchin
et al. 2017; Ramísio et al. 2019). The creation of a sustainability committee within
universities contributes to the establishment of sustainable policies and objectives
within the campus. It supports the people responsible for sustainable initiatives by
disseminating information and coordinating all projects, such as fundraising and
policy implementation (Velazquez et al. 2006; Leal Filho et al. 2019).
The role of Universities is fundamental to sustainable development, due to their
character as centers of knowledge and similarities to cities spaces. Their operations
have direct and indirect impacts on the environment, such as administrative tasks,
commuting of students and great consumption of water, food and energy (Disterheft
et al. 2012; Leal Filho et al. 2018). At the same time, universities provide research
and promote knowledge in the area of sustainability, integrating their staff, students
and external community into more sustainable practices and resource use awareness
(Alshuwaikhat and Abubakar 2008; Berchin et al. 2018).
809
harm to the environment and integrate sustainability-related issues into their main
functions like research, teaching and service operations. Velazquez et al. (2006)
brings a general definition by authors that define a higher education institution as
one that manages and promotes, at regional and global scales, the reduction of negative effects on the environmental; economical; social and health spheres, due to the
use of resources to perform their basic functions, thus helping society to adopt more
sustainable lifestyles.
Clugston and Calder (2000) indicate that HEIs should implement practices that
include their commitment to sustainability through written statements in their mission and purpose, as well incorporate sustainability concepts into their courses and
academic research and encourage students to critically analyze environmental issues.
These can have positive effects overall, in culture, employment and adding value to
the regions’ products; but also might have negative impacts, when resources as water
and energy are not managed properly (Madeira et al. 2011).
In this article, the concept of Community Higher Education Institution is used,
represented by the study case in the Brazilian HEI Unisul. According to Brazilian law
nº 12.881 (Brazil 2013), passed in 12 November 2013, Community Higher Education
Institutions are organizations of Brazilian civil society constituted as associations
or foundations, with the legal personality of a private firm, which invest all their
resources in Brazil to achieve institutional goals. They must act with transparency
and responsibility and bring benefits for communities, promoting activities of public
interest, offering free services to the population and institutionalizing permanent
outreach programs and community action to help the formation and development of
students and society.
3.1 Living Labs, Green Campus and the Role of Universities
The application of sustainability within HEIs should frame and establish a sustainable agenda by adapting its internal processes, so that there is energy and water
efficiency, waste management, green operations and sustainable buildings (Berchin
et al. 2017; Ramísio et al. 2019). The creation of a sustainability committee within
universities contributes to the establishment of sustainable policies and objectives
within the campus. It supports the people responsible for sustainable initiatives by
disseminating information and coordinating all projects, such as fundraising and
policy implementation (Velazquez et al. 2006; Leal Filho et al. 2019).
The role of Universities is fundamental to sustainable development, due to their
character as centers of knowledge and similarities to cities spaces. Their operations
have direct and indirect impacts on the environment, such as administrative tasks,
commuting of students and great consumption of water, food and energy (Disterheft
et al. 2012; Leal Filho et al. 2018). At the same time, universities provide research
and promote knowledge in the area of sustainability, integrating their staff, students
and external community into more sustainable practices and resource use awareness
(Alshuwaikhat and Abubakar 2008; Berchin et al. 2018).