An Integrated Decision-Making Framework for Sustainability Assessment: A Case Study of Memorial University

This article presents an overview of the sustainability initiatives at the St. John's campus of Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada). The key initiatives include setting a realistic goal for energy efficiency, becoming carbon neutral, and conducting various research and outreach projects related to sustainability. As sustainability initiatives are relatively new, many recommendations have been made including: the integration of sustainability efforts across campus and lobbying networks in the Atlantic Region with other institutions and to leverage currents assets into further opportunities for research, teaching and institutional development in the Atlantic Region. For developing a more robust and integrated decision-making, a tool based on driving force-pressure-state-exposure-effect-action framework and multi-bottom line approach is introduced. Various aspects of this framework are demonstrated through examples. Higher Education Policy (2011) 24, 481-498. doi:10.1057/hep.2011.17