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論文名稱 Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) at German Higher Education Institutions
發表日期 2018-06-01
論文收錄分類 其他
所有作者 Armin Ibitz
作者順序 第一作者
通訊作者
刊物名稱 Languages and International Studies
發表卷數  
是否具有審稿制度
發表期數 19
期刊或學報出版地國別/地區 NATTWN-中華民國
發表年份 2018
發表月份 12
發表形式 紙本
所屬計劃案
可公開文檔  
可公開文檔  
可公開文檔   


[Abstract] :
A total of 26 German universities have so far introduced the European Union’s Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) but more are to follow. The purpose of this study is to identify the major drivers for universities to implement the voluntary EMAS and to reveal a pattern of EMAS certification among German Higher Education Institutions in order to develop a framework to ease the employment of EMAS at other universities.
The paper examines environmental statements and reports of universities implementing the auditing scheme with the aim to determine the rationale behind the implementation. Content analysis techniques are applied to highlight common features but also specific characteristics. However, to be able to put the developments into a broader context the study also includes secondary resources, mainly from articles in international journals. Finally, for gaining a better understanding of the issue from a legal perspective, legal sources were also included. Scholarly attention to the emerging deployment of EMAS at tertiary education institutions in Germany has been limited. An up-to-date overview of EMAS deployment at German universities is provided and barriers to implementation highlighted.
The study reveals that so far mostly state-owned universities have opted for EMAS, and most of them are of small size and have previous environmental expertise and experience. Private universities have not tapped the potential of EMAS. The high concentration of EMAS certified higher education institutions in the state of Baden-Württemberg suggests that the state government's efforts to support the implementation of EMAS bear fruits. The study provides policy recommendations on how to increase incentives for achieving EMAS certification among tertiary education institutions.

Keywords: Eco-Management and Audit Scheme; EMAS; Higher education; Germany; Sustainable Development

[English Abstract] :
A total of 26 German universities have so far introduced the European Union’s Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) but more are to follow. The purpose of this study is to identify the major drivers for universities to implement the voluntary EMAS and to reveal a pattern of EMAS certification among German Higher Education Institutions in order to develop a framework to ease the employment of EMAS at other universities.
The paper examines environmental statements and reports of universities implementing the auditing scheme with the aim to determine the rationale behind the implementation. Content analysis techniques are applied to highlight common features but also specific characteristics. However, to be able to put the developments into a broader context the study also includes secondary resources, mainly from articles in international journals. Finally, for gaining a better understanding of the issue from a legal perspective, legal sources were also included. Scholarly attention to the emerging deployment of EMAS at tertiary education institutions in Germany has been limited. An up-to-date overview of EMAS deployment at German universities is provided and barriers to implementation highlighted.
The study reveals that so far mostly state-owned universities have opted for EMAS, and most of them are of small size and have previous environmental expertise and experience. Private universities have not tapped the potential of EMAS. The high concentration of EMAS certified higher education institutions in the state of Baden-Württemberg suggests that the state government's efforts to support the implementation of EMAS bear fruits. The study provides policy recommendations on how to increase incentives for achieving EMAS certification among tertiary education institutions.

Keywords: Eco-Management and Audit Scheme; EMAS; Higher education; Germany; Sustainable Development