Transformation of Ecological Mindset in Universities and Sustainable Universities

Year 2024, , 83 - 92, 20.06.2024

Sahure Gonca Telli , Samet Aydın

https://doi.org/10.32329/uad.1474062

Abstract

Universities have a critical role in instilling sustainability awareness in society and equipping future generations with environmental awareness. Green universities are institutions that have integrated sustainability principles into their institutional structures, campus operations, and education-research activities. In this context, universities, which function as micro cities in terms of their campuses, are expected to focus on various disciplines and offer environmental experiences to their students to develop skills in finding solutions to environmental problems. It is seen that universities have started to take concrete steps such as reducing their environmental footprint and contributing to the development of green jobs through sustainability centers. In this study, how environmental awareness can be increased in universities for a sustainable future, the role of sustainability centers in this direction, as well as the ecological mindset transformation that universities should demonstrate in the context of the development and the training of green jobs in line with the needs of the new era are discussed.

Keywords

Sustainability, Green Universities, Green Jobs, Sustainability Centers

Üniversitelerde Ekolojik Zihniyet Dönüşümü ve Sürdürülebilir Üniversiteler

Abstract

Üniversitelerin topluma sürdürülebilirlik bilinci aşılamak ve gelecek nesilleri çevresel farkındalıkla donatmak gibi kritik bir rolü bulunmaktadır. Yeşil üniversiteler, sürdürülebilirlik ilkelerini kurumsal yapılarına, yerleşke operasyonlarına ve eğitim-araştırma faaliyetlerine entegre etmiş kurumlardır. Bu bağlamda, yerleşkeleri açısından birer mikro şehir olarak işlev gören üniversitelerin çevresel sorunlara karşı çözüm bulma becerileri geliştirmek için çeşitli disiplinlere odaklanmaları ve öğrencilerine çevresel deneyimler sunmaları beklenmektedir. Sürdürülebilirlik merkezleri aracılığıyla üniversitelerin çevresel ayak izlerini azaltma ve yeşil mesleklerin gelişimine katkı sağlama gibi somut adımlar atmaya başladıkları görülmektedir. Bu çalışmada sürdürülebilir bir gelecek için üniversitelerde çevresel farkındalığın nasıl artırılabileceği, sürdürülebilirlik merkezlerinin bu çerçevedeki rolü, ayrıca yeni dönemin gereksinimlerine uygun yeşil mesleklerin gelişimi ve bu mesleklerin eğitimi konuları bağlamında üniversitelerin ekolojik olarak göstermeleri gereken zihniyet dönüşümü ele alınmıştır.

Keywords

Sürdürülebilirlik, Yeşil Üniversite, Yeşil Meslekler, Sürdürülebilirlik Merkezleri

References

• Amaral, L. P., Martins, N., & Gouveia, J. B. (2015). Quest for a sustainable university: a review. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 16(2), 155–172. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe-02-2013-0017
• Baer, P., Brown, M. A., & Kim, G. (2015). The job generation impacts of expanding industrial cogeneration. Ecological Economics, 110, 141–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2014.12.007
• Bakırcı, Ç. M. (2016). Aborijinler (Avustralya Yerlileri), Avusturalya’ya Ne Zaman ve Nasıl Göç Ettiler? Erişim adresi: https://evrimagaci.org/aborijinler-avustralya-yerlileri-avusturalyaya-ne-zaman-ve-nasil-goc-ettiler-4072
• Beringer, A., Wright, T., & Malone, L. (2008). Sustainability in higher education in Atlantic Canada. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 9(1), 48–67. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370810842184
• Brundtland Commission. (1987). Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. United Nations. Erişim adresi: http://www.un-documents.net/our-common-future.pdf.
• Cai, W., Wang, C., Chen, J., & Wang, S. (2011). Green economy and green jobs: Myth or reality? The case of China’s power generation sector. Energy, 36(10), 5994–6003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2011.08.016
• Cecere, G., & Mazzanti, M. (2017). Green jobs and eco-innovations in European SMEs. Resource and Energy Economics, 49, 86–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reseneeco.2017.03.003
• Consoli, D., Marin, G., Marzucchi, A., & Vona, F. (2016). Do green jobs differ from non-green jobs in terms of skills and human capital?. Research Policy, 45(5), 1046-1060. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2744521
• Dahle, M., & Neumayer, E. (2001). Overcoming barriers to campus greening. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 2(2), 139–160. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370110388363
• Dell’Anna, F. (2021). Green jobs and energy efficiency as strategies for economic growth and the reduction of environmental impacts. Energy Policy, 149, 112031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.112031
• Disterheft, A., Ferreira da Silva Caeiro, S. S., Ramos, M. R., & de Miranda Azeiteiro, U. M. (2012). Environmental Management Systems (EMS) implementation processes and practices in European higher education institutions – Top-down versus participatory approaches. Journal of Cleaner Production, 31, 80–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.02.034
• Fankhauser, S., Sehlleıer, F., & Stern, N. (2008). Climate change, innovation and jobs. Climate Policy, 8(4), 421–429. https://doi.org/10.3763/cpol.2008.0513
• Finlay, J., & Massey, J. (2012). Eco‐campus: applying the ecocity model to develop green university and college campuses. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 13(2), 150–165. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676371211211836
• Fissi, S., Romolini, A., Gori, E., & Contri, M. (2021). The path toward a sustainable green university: The case of the University of Florence. Journal of Cleaner Production, 279, 123655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123655
• Galleli, B., Teles, N. E. B., Santos, J. A. R. dos, Freitas-Martins, M. S., & Hourneaux Junior, F. (2021). Sustainability university rankings: a comparative analysis of UI green metric and the times higher education world university rankings. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 23(2), 404–425. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe-12-2020-0475
• Geng, Y., Liu, K., Xue, B., & Fujita, T. (2013). Creating a “green university” in China: a case of Shenyang University. Journal of Cleaner Production, 61, 13–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.07.013
• Gibson, R. J. (2006). Beyond the pillars: sustainability assessment as a framework for effective integration of social, economic, and ecological considerations in significant decision-making. Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy & Management, 8(3), 259–80. https://doi.org/10.1142/s1464333206002517
• Gordon, K., Hays, J., Walsh, J., Hendricks, B., White, S. (2008), Green-collar Jobs in America’s Cities: Building Pathways out of Poverty and Careers in the Clean Energy Economy, Apollo Alliance & Green for All, Washington DC. Erişim adresi: https://highroad.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2056/2020/05/2008-Green-Collar-Jobs-in-Americas-Cities-Building-Pathways-Out-of-Poverty-and-Careers-in-the-Clean-Energy-Economy.pdf
• ILO. (2016). World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2016. Erişim adresi: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—dgreports/—dcomm/—publ/documents/publication/wcms_443480.pdf.
• Kagawa, F. (2007). Dissonance in students’ perceptions of sustainable development and sustainability. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 8(3), 317–338. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370710817174
• Kahn, M. E., & Mansur, E. T. (2013). Do local energy prices and regulation affect the geographic concentration of employment? Journal of Public Economics, 101, 105–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2013.03.002
• Leal Filho, W., Shiel, C., Paço, A., Mifsud, M., Ávila, L. V., Brandli, L. L., Molthan-Hill, P., Pace, P., Azeiteiro, U. M., Vargas, V. R., & Caeiro, S. (2019). Sustainable Development Goals and sustainability teaching at universities: Falling behind or getting ahead of the pack? Journal of Cleaner Production, 232, 285–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.309
• Lehr, U., Lutz, C., & Edler, D. (2012). Green jobs? Economic impacts of renewable energy in Germany. Energy Policy, 47, 358–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2012.04.076
• Lin, P. J. (1977). A Translation of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching and Wang Pi’s Commentary. Center for Chinese Studies, The University of Michigan. Erişim adresi: https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/41829/9780472901388.pdf?sequence=1
• Lozano, R. (2006). Incorporation and institutionalization of SD into universities: breaking through barriers to change. Journal of Cleaner Production, 14(9–11), 787–796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.010
• Lozano, R., Lukman, R., Lozano, F. J., Huisingh, D., & Lambrechts, W. (2013). Declarations for sustainability in higher education: becoming better leaders, through addressing the university system. Journal of Cleaner Production, 48, 10–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.10.006
• Lukman, R., Krajnc, D., & Glavič, P. (2010). University ranking using research, educational and environmental indicators. Journal of Cleaner Production, 18(7), 619–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.09.015
• Marques, C., Bachega, S. J., & Tavares, D. M. (2019). Framework proposal for the environmental impact assessment of universities in the context of Green IT. Journal of Cleaner Production, 241, 118346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118346
• Moore, T., & Iyer-Raniga, U. (2019). Reflections of a green university building: from design to occupation. Facilities, 37(3/4), 122–140. https://doi.org/10.1108/f-11-2017-0108
• Mulatu, A., & Wossink, A. (2014). Environmental Regulation and Location of Industrialized Agricultural Production in Europe. Land Economics, 90(3), 509–537. https://doi.org/10.3368/le.90.3.509
• Nejati, M., & Nejati, M. (2013). Assessment of sustainable university factors from the perspective of university students. Journal of Cleaner Production, 48, 101–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.09.006
• Nicolaides, A. (2006). The implementation of environmental management towards sustainable universities and education for sustainable development as an ethical imperative. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 7(4), 414-424. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14676370610702217.
• OECD. (2010). Yeşil Büyüme Stratejisi Geçici Raporu: Sürdürülebilir bir Gelecek için Taahhütlerimizin Yerine Getirilmesi. Erişim adresi: https://www.oecd.org/greengrowth/45529850.pdf
• OECD. (2012). The Jobs Potential of a Shift Towards a Low Carbon Economy, Final Report for the European Community, DG Employment. Erişim adresi: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/5k9h3630320v-en.ksum=39ED28490B69A6816AADF26D3AF46E72
• OECD. (2014). Job Creation and Local Economic Development, OECD, Paris. Erişim adresi: https://www.oecd.org/cfe/leed/job-creation-and-local-economic-development-9789264215009-en.htm
• Rayan, E. O., Ragab, A. M., & Anwar, A. S. (2020). Determinants of green job creation: an empirical investigation. International Journal of Social Economics, 47(7), 887–911. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijse-01-2020-0012
• Sassen, R., & Azizi, L. (2017). Voluntary disclosure of sustainability reports by Canadian universities. Journal of Business Economics, 88(1), 97–137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11573-017-0869-1
• Scully-Russ, E. (2018). The Dual Promise of Green Jobs: Sustainability and Economic Equity. The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainability, 503–521. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71389-2_27
• Shi, H., & Lai, E. (2013). An alternative university sustainability rating framework with a structured criteria tree. Journal of Cleaner Production, 61, 59–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.09.006
• Sulich, A., Rutkowska, M., & Popławski, Ł. (2020). Green jobs, definitional issues, and the employment of young people: An analysis of three European Union countries. Journal of Environmental Management, 262, 110314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110314
• Şahin, M. Ş. (2023). On Birinci Kalkınma Planı’nda Hayat Boyu Öğrenme Politikalarının Değerlendirilmesi. Anadolu University Journal of Education Faculty, 7(4), 1334-1354. https://doi.org/10.34056/aujef.1153144.
• Telli, S. G., & Aydın, S. (2023). Sürdürülebilir Pazarlama. Konya: Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Yayınları.
• Thomas, I., & Nicita, J. (2002). Sustainability Education and Australian Universities. Environmental Education Research, 8(4), 475–492. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350462022000026845
• Tuncer, G. (2008). University Students’ Perception on Sustainable Development: A Case Study from Turkey. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 17(3), 212–226. https://doi.org/10.1080/10382040802168297
• United Nations. (1987). Our Common Future. Erişim adresi: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/5987our-common-future.pdf.
• UNEP. (2008). United Nations Environment Programme, International Labor Organization, & International Trade Union Confederation (UNEP) Background Paper on Green Jobs. Erişim adresi: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/32709.
• Velazquez, L., Munguia, N., Platt, A., & Taddei, J. (2006). Sustainable university: what can be the matter?. Journal of Cleaner Production, 14(9–11), 810–819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.008
• Wei, M., Patadia, S., & Kammen, D. M. (2010). Putting renewables and energy efficiency to work: How many jobs can the clean energy industry generate in the US? Energy Policy, 38(2), 919–931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.10.044
• White, S. and Walsh, J. (2008), Greener Pathways: Jobs and Workforce Development in the Clean Energy Economy, Center on Wisconsin Strategies, Madison, WI. Erişim adresi: https://highroad.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1368/2020/05/2008-Greener-Pathways-Jobs-and-Workforce-Development-in-the-Clean-Energy-Economy.pdf
• Zimmerman, K. S., & Halfacre‐Hitchcock, A. (2006). Barriers to student mobilization and service at institutions of higher education. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 7(1), 6–15. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370610639218
• Zimmermann, M., & Simpson, R. (2012). Green Urban Economy: Agenda Setting for the Urban Future. Local Sustainability, 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1969-9_1