Circular economy, green economy and sustainability: perceptions of teachers and students at ISMU, ESCN, ISFIC and Uni-Licungo on their practices

Abstract

This article intends to analyze the perceptions and daily practices of the circular economy, green economy and sustainability among teachers and students at ISMU, ESCN, ISFIC and Uni-Licungo. Its central argument is that although ISMU, ESCN, ISFIC and Uni-Licungo teachers and students have a perception of the circular economy, green economy and sustainability, they do not have the daily practice of these elements. Remember that until the 1960s, the economy was always linear, which led to waste and that would quickly end up leading to the depletion of natural resources, creating a certain danger for our common future due to the degradation of the environment. That's when we thought about the circular economy, green economy and sustainability. The present study is based on a questionnaire whose options for answering the questions follow a five-category Likert-type scale. The variables that were being crossed were selected according to the respective relationship intensity, with only those whose relationship (r) was strong being chosen. Correlation tests were also performed and various forms of validity of the data collection instrument (the questionnaire) and data validity were presented. The study concludes that the incorporation of sustainability in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) when carrying out daily activities based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is fundamental for there to be an education for sustainability, to contribute to changes of behavior at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) level and that there are more practices in the areas of green economy, sustainability and circular economy more quickly, which will contribute to a better education oriented to environmental citizenship. The practice of circular economy, green economy and sustainability bring beneficial consequences to our planet and humanity.