Indicator-Based Analysis of the Process Towards a University in Sustainable Development: A Case Study of the University of Tübingen (Germany)

Abstract

In order to contribute to sustainable development (SD), complex and heterogeneous institutions such as universities need instruments to define SD goals as well as to assess and to communicate their SD performance. We discuss the potential of sustainability indicators to provide structure and guidance for SD processes of universities, analyse the suitability of the sustainability indicator set Nachhaltigkeitscheck 2.0 (Sustainability Check 2.0), developed for German universities, and suggest a revised version: the Sustainability Check 3.0. We apply this new set to the bottom-up driven SD activities at the University of Tübingen. We understand this as a case study that is relevant and may be exemplary for possible processes of transformation in other German and possibly international full-scale universities. Finally, recommendations will be offered of how SD processes at universities can be measured and steered more effectively based on inclusive stakeholder participation.