Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions and the Brazilian Environmental Agenda in Public Administration

The sustainability topic is being increasingly discussed both in the academy and in the campuses’ daily life. Against a worldwide scenario of socio-environmental catastrophes, pandemic, wars, and climate change, this discussion becomes even more urgent. From this perspective, public institutions should be models for the reduction of negative socio-environmental impacts, especially the organisations which work with knowledge, such as higher education institutions (HEIs). Therefore, this study aims to analyse the Brazilian Environmental Agenda in Public Administration (Agenda Ambiental na Administração Pública—A3P), within the scope of public HEIs. Brazil is one of the richest countries in biodiversity and, therefore, responsible for its preservation. In this study, the A3P is highlighted as a key tool in the implementation of organisational initiatives in HEIs towards sustainable development. Nevertheless, the involvement and adherence of HEIs to this Agenda is a challenge to the traditional university models and requires a commitment from the entire university community.