The 5E model of environmental engagement: Bringing sustainability change to higher education through positive psychology

Cathy Macharis*, Dorit Kerret

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abstract: What is the role of universities in advancing sustainability? This paper delineates a unique program for promoting sustainability that was applied in Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB). The unique characteristics of the program are described in light of the positive sustainability framework. The five components of the program are designed to promote sustainable behavior of participants, through promoting goal-oriented hope: setting a goal; believing that one can successfully achieve the chosen goal (agency thinking); viewing the potential paths for achieving the goal (pathway thinking); and trusting other members of society to follow the same desired goal (social trust). The five components of the program are designed to jointly raise all the elements of hope. It starts with goal setting (estimate), which is aimed at evaluating the impact of the university on the physical environment. Secondly, the entire community of the university should be engaged in achieving the desired goal. The third component of the method is education about the potential options and actions for achieving the designed goal. Then, enabling the achievement of the goal takes place (meaning making it easy). Lastly, participants should be encouraged to pursue the goal by positive rewarding.

Original languageEnglish
Article number241
JournalSustainability (Switzerland)
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 5 Jan 2019

Funding

FundersFunder number
Israeli Science Foundation584/15

    Keywords

    • Education for sustainability
    • Environmental behavior
    • Higher education
    • Positive psychology
    • Positive sustainability

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The 5E model of environmental engagement: Bringing sustainability change to higher education through positive psychology'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this