Stefan Schaltegger

Professor Stefan Schaltegger is a full professor of sustainability management at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany, where he also founded the Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM). Since 1999, he has held the Professorship for Sustainability Management, and from 2022-2023 served as Dean of the School of Sustainability. Previously, he was Vice President for Research at Leuphana University from 2006-2010. According to the Stanford World Scientist Ranking, he is among the 2% most cited researchers worldwide and has received numerous scientific awards for his work in sustainability management.

Professor Schaltegger's research focuses on corporate sustainability management, with particular emphasis on measurement, accounting and management control of corporate sustainability (including the sustainability balanced scorecard). His work also addresses sustainability transformation of companies, fundamental concepts and methods of sustainability management, sustainable business models, and management of stakeholder relationships. He has pioneered approaches to biodiversity management and the operationalization of corporate sustainability.

His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on sustainability accounting, business model innovation, and stakeholder theory. Over time, his work has evolved from foundational concepts in environmental accounting to more complex frameworks for sustainability transformation and business model innovation. Recent publications emphasize systematic reviews and conceptual frameworks that integrate multiple dimensions of sustainability across organizational levels.

• 2025 Hall of Fame Award of the Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal (AAAJ)
• 2020-2025: Ranked in Stanford's top 2% of scientists worldwide
• 2023: Mary Parker Follett award for Outstanding Paper
• 2019: Karl-Leitl-Partnership-award
• 2007: Environmental award in the category 'Science' by B.A.U.M.
• 2003: Research award by IFAC's PAIB Committee

As Co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal 'Organization & Environment' and member of multiple editorial boards, Professor Schaltegger has significantly influenced the field. He has served on numerous advisory boards including the German Sustainability Award jury since 2010 and chaired the Environmental and Sustainability Management Accounting Network (EMAN) from 2005-2020. His leadership extends to founding the world's first MBA program in Sustainability Management in 2003.

Professor Schaltegger leads the Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM), which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research and teaching in sustainability. The CSM fosters collaboration between academia and practice, supporting sustainability transformation in organizations through research, education, and consulting services. Under his leadership, the CSM has become a recognized center of excellence in sustainability management research and application.