Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Energy Sustainability at Universities and Its Contribution to SDG 7: A Systematic Literature Review

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Universities as Living Labs for Sustainable Development

Part of the book series: World Sustainability Series ((WSUSE))

Abstract

Considering the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 7, focused on “Affordable and Clean Energy”, universities have the role of promoting sustainability through combining sustainable energy with the processes of knowledge transmission and research. Although sustainability at universities has been thoroughly investigated, there is a lack of comprehensiveness in identifying and categorising the university role in energy sustainability and efficiency. In this context, the aim of this paper is to perform a systematic review of the literature on this topic and relate the university role in sustainable development to its contribution to SDG 7. Using the databases ScienceDirect and Web of Science, the review resulted in an analysis of 545 articles from various perspectives, published in the last 10 years regarding energy efficiency and sustainability at universities. This enabled an improved understanding of how universities have been contributing to sustainable development in the energy context and the possibility of exploring scenarios and visions for future actions by educational institutions aiming to comply with SDG 7.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agdas D, Srinivasan RS, Frost K, Masters FJ (2015) Energy use assessment of educational buildings: toward a campus-wide sustainable energy policy. Sustain Cities Soc 17:15–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alawin AA, Rahmeh TA, Jaber JO, Loubani S, Dalu SA, Awad W, Dalabih A (2016) Renewable energy education in engineering schools in Jordan: existing courses and level of awareness of senior students. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 65:308–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albareda-Tiana S, Vidal-Raméntol S, Fernández-Morilla M (2018) Implementing the sustainable development goals at University level. Int J Sustain High Educ 19(3):473–497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allouhi A, El Fouih Y, Kousksou T, Jamil A, Zeraouli Y, Mourad Y (2015) Energy consumption and efficiency in buildings: current status and future trends. J Clean Prod 109:118–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anacio DB (2017) Designing sustainable consumption and production systems in higher education institutions: the case of solid waste management. In: Leal Filho W, Mifsud M, Shiel C, Pretorius R (eds) Handbook of theory and practice of sustainable development in higher education. Springer International Publishing, pp 3–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Aris MS, Bhaskoro PT (2014) Energy saving technique for cooling dominated academic building: techno-economic analysis of its application. Appl Energy 132:192–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asdrubali F, Buratti C, Cotana F, Baldinelli G, Goretti M, Moretti E, Baldassarri C, Belloni E, Bianchi F, Rotili A, Vergoni M (2013) Evaluation of green buildings’ overall performance through in situ monitoring and simulations. Energies 6(12):6525–6547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bambawale MJ, Sovacool BK (2011) India’s energy security: a sample of business, government, civil society, and university perspectives. Energy Policy 39(3):1254–1264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berchin II, Sima M, de Lima MA, Biesel S, dos Santos LP, Ferreira RV, de Andrade JBSO, Ceci F (2018) The importance of international conferences on sustainable development as higher education institutions’ strategies to promote sustainability: a case study in Brazil. J Clean Prod 171:756–772

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bunse K, Vodicka M, Schönsleben P, Brülhart M, Ernst FO (2011) Integrating energy efficiency performance in production management–gap analysis between industrial needs and scientific literature. J Clean Prod 19(6–7):667–679

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caiado RGG, de Freitas Dias R, Mattos LV, Quelhas OLG, Leal Filho W (2017) Towards sustainable development through the perspective of eco-efficiency-a systematic literature review. J Clean Prod 165:890–904

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chokor A, El Asmar M, Tilton C, Srour I (2015) Dual assessment framework to evaluate LEED-certified facilities’ occupant satisfaction and energy performance: macro and micro approaches. J Archit Eng 22(4):1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Clifford KL, Zaman MH (2016) Engineering, global health, and inclusive innovation: focus on partnership, system strengthening, and local impact for SDGs. Global health action 9(1):1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cotana F, Cavalaglio G, Coccia V, Petrozzi A (2016) Energy opportunities from lignocellulosic biomass for a biorefinery case study. Energies 9(9):748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denyer D, Tranfield D (2009) Producing a systematic review. In: Bryman A (ed) The sage handbook of organizational research methods. Sage, London, pp 671–689

    Google Scholar 

  • Desha CJ, Hargroves KC (2010) Surveying the state of higher education in energy efficiency, in Australian engineering curriculum. J Clean Prod 18(7):652–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández M, Alférez A, Vidal S, Fernández MY, Albareda S (2016) Methodological approaches to change consumption habits of future teachers in Barcelona, Spain: reducing their personal ecological footprint. J Clean Prod 122:154–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holdren JP (2007) Energy and sustainability. Science 315:p737

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jain S, Aggarwal P, Sharma N, Sharma P (2013) Fostering sustainability through education, research and practice: a case study of TERI University. J Clean Prod 61:20–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalkan N, Bercin K, Cangul O, Morales MG, Saleem MMKM, Marji I, Metaxa A, Tsigkogianni E (2011) A renewable energy solution for highfield campus of University of Southampton. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 15(6):2940–2959

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplowitz MD, Thorp L, Coleman K, Yeboah FK (2012) Energy conservation attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors in science laboratories. Energy Policy 50:581–591

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolokotsa D, Gobakis K, Papantoniou S, Georgatou C, Kampelis N, Kalaitzakis K, Vasilakopoulou K, Santamouris M (2016) Development of a web based energy management system for University Campuses: the CAMP-IT platform. Energy Build 123:119–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lau ET, Yang Q, Forbes AB, Wright P, Livina VN (2014) Modelling carbon emissions in electric systems. Energy Convers Manag 80:573–581

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leal Filho W (2011) About the role of universities and their contribution to sustainable development. High Educ Policy 24(4):427–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee J, Chang B, Aktas C, Gorthala R (2016) Economic feasibility of campus-wide photovoltaic systems in New England. Renew Energy 99:452–464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lipschutz RD, De Wit D, Lehmann M (2017) Sustainable cities, sustainable universities: re-engineering the campus of today for the world of tomorrow. In: Leal Filho W, Skanavis C, Paço A, Rogers J, Kuznetsova O, Castro P (eds) Handbook of theory and practice of sustainable development in higher education. Springer International Publishing, pp 3–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Lozano R, Ceulemans K, Alonso-Almeida M, Huisingh D, Lozano FJ, Waas T, Lambrechts W, Lukman R, Hugé J (2015) A review of commitment and implementation of sustainable development in higher education: results from a worldwide survey. J Clean Prod 108:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mills B, Schleich J (2012) Residential energy-efficient technology adoption, energy conservation, knowledge, and attitudes: an analysis of European Countries. Energy Policy 49:616–628

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mytafides CK, Dimoudi A, Zoras S (2017) Transformation of a university building into a zero energy building in Mediterranean climate. Energy Build 155:98–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nottingham Business School (2017) Principles of responsible management education: sharing information on progress report 2017. https://www4.ntu.ac.uk/nbs/document_uploads/193908.pdf. Last accessed 28 Mar 2018

  • O’Keeffe P (2016) The role of Ethiopia’s public universities in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals. Int Rev Educ 62(6):791–813

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peñalvo-López E, Cárcel-Carrasco FJ, Devece C, Morcillo AI (2017) A methodology for analysing sustainability in energy scenarios. Sustainability 9(9):1590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petinrin JO, Shaaban M (2015) Renewable energy for continuous energy sustainability in Malaysia. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 50:967–981

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Podsakoff PM, Mackenzie SB, Bachrach DG, Podsakoff NP (2005) The influence of management journals in the 1980 and 1990. Strateg Manag J 26(5):473–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pothitou M, Varga L, Kolios AJ, Gu S (2017) Linking energy behaviour, attitude and habits with environmental predisposition and knowledge. Int J Sustain Energ 36(4):398–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadineni SB, Atallah F, Boehm RF (2012) Impact of roof integrated PV orientation on the residential electricity peak demand. Appl Energy 92:204–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salem MR, Ali RK, Elshazly KM (2017) Experimental investigation of the performance of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar system using aluminium cooling plate with straight and helical channels. Sol Energy 157:147–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulze M, Nehler H, Ottosson M, Thollander P (2016) Energy management in industry–a systematic review of previous findings and an integrative conceptual framework. J Clean Prod 112:3692–3708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SDSN Australia/Pacific (2017) Getting started with the SDGs in universities: a guide for universities, higher education institutions, and the academic sector. Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Edition. Sustainable Development Solutions Network—Australia/Pacific, Melbourne, http://ap-unsdsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/University-SDG-Guide_web.pdf. Last accessed 28 Mar 2018

  • Sesana MM, Grecchi M, Salvalai G, Rasica C (2016) Methodology of energy efficient building refurbishment: application on two university campus-building case studies in Italy with engineering students. J Build Eng 6:54–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shiel C, Leal Filho W, do Paço A, Brandli L (2016) Evaluating the engagement of universities in capacity building for sustainable development in local communities. Eval Prog Plann 54:123–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staller H, Rainer E, Heimrath R, Halmdienst C, Martin CV, Grabner M (2016) + ERS–Plus energy network Reininghaus Süd: a pilot project towards an energy self-sufficient urban district. Energy Build 115:138–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Unachukwu GO (2010) Energy savings opportunities at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. J Energy South Africa 21:2–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO (2015) Education 2030. Incheon Declaration. Towards inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all. World Education Forum, Republic of Korea, http://www.unesco.org/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/ED/ED/pdf/FFA_Complet_Web-ENG.pdf. Last accessed 13 Jan 2018

  • United Nations (2016) United Nations Statistics Division: Goal 7, http://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/metadata-compilation/Metadata-Goal-7.pdf. Last accessed 5 Dec 2017

  • Waheed B, Khan FI, Veitch B (2011) Developing a quantitative tool for sustainability assessment of HEIs. Int J Sustain High Educ 12(4):355–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank (2007) Energy efficiency for sustainable development: scale up strategy and action plan. Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil

    Amanda Lange Salvia & Luciana Londero Brandli

Authors
  1. Amanda Lange Salvia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luciana Londero Brandli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amanda Lange Salvia .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. European School of Sustainability Science and Research, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. European School of Sustainability Science and Research, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Amanda Lange Salvia

  3. Department of Geography, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Rudi W. Pretorius

  4. University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil

    Luciana Londero Brandli

  5. Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece

    Evangelos Manolas

  6. Department of Social Sciences and Management, Universidade Aberta, Porto, Portugal

    Fatima Alves

  7. Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

    Ulisses Azeiteiro

  8. School of Architecture and Design, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Judy Rogers

  9. Department of Life and Environmental Science, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK

    Chris Shiel

  10. Department of Business and Economics, Research Unit NECE, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilha, Portugal

    Arminda Do Paco

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Salvia, A.L., Brandli, L.L. (2020). Energy Sustainability at Universities and Its Contribution to SDG 7: A Systematic Literature Review. In: Leal Filho, W., et al. Universities as Living Labs for Sustainable Development. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15604-6_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation