Sustainability considerations in administrative decisions within the public sector
Theme: Sustainability in the public sector
The project explores the legal framework and the administrative practice of complaints boards in relation to how sustainability is embedded in and supported by legislation, as well as reflected in administrative decisions within environmental, social and health law. The results contribute to the development of public law education with a focus on sustainability.
The project examines how the establishment of institutions and legally determined decision-making systems and structures in the areas of environmental, health and social law facilitate and support sustainability considerations. The focus is on the ‘vertical’ regulatory perspective – as well as appeal bodies - and the ‘horizontal’ frameworks for decisions and governance.
The project adopts a common research paradigm across the three legal domains. Legal certainty, participation and access to appeals are central points of reference in analysing and evaluating decision-making systems within environmental law - which focuses on protection and resource use - as well as within social and health law, where emphasis is on the rights and obligations of citizens.
This research generates new knowledge about the functioning of public decision-making systems. The findings are relevant for decision-makers across all governance levels and for actors engaged in legislative development and implementation.
RQ1) To what extent have legislative developments in the selected areas of law from 2000 to the present supported the integration of sustainability considerations?
RQ1 examines legislative developments in the areas of environmental, social and health law during this period, focusing on which areas have been subject to legal regulation or deregulation, and the extent to which the legal framework conditions - including traditions and principles within each field of law support the possibility of integration and balancing of sustainability considerations in administrative decision making.
RQ2: How are sustainability considerations incorporated into appeal bodies?
RQ2 examines the extent to which the structure of selected appeal bodies broadly frames practice, including the integration of sustainability considerations, and whether similarities and differences between the relevant areas of law can be identified. The level of appeal decisions has been chosen as research subject because such decisions reflect the current legal state/situation. The emphasis is on the intersection between the vertical legislative frameworks and the horizontal administrative law perspective.
RQ3) What effects do sustainability considerations have on general administrative law?
RQ3 examines how traditional administrative law is affected by sustainability considerations—including case preparation, establishment of basis for decision-making, balancing of interests and final rulings—when decisions are made in the context of environmental, social and health legislation. In addition, it examines whether specific criteria for sustainability considerations can be identified.
BA and MA courses
The project establishes the basis for a research-based approach to the developmentof teaching and further advancement of teaching initiatives within the field of public law, integrating sustainability perspectives.The environmental and climate law courses already offered in law, business law and public administration programmes constitute a valuable base of experience. The research will contribute to the development of teaching materials in public law subjects.
As part of the project, a series of small-scale pilot initiatives in general administrative law will be carried out during spring 2026 at the University of Southern Denmark and Aalborg University. Based on the experience gained from these pilots, the sustainability perspective will subsequently be extended to basic law courses.
In addition, broader integration of sustainability into public law BA and MA courses where such perspectives have traditionally not been part of the curriculum is being considered. An anthology prepared as part of the project is expected to serve as teaching material—either in its entirety or in selected excerpts.
Continuing education
The project further supports the development of the AAU continuing education course in Environmental Law for municipal employees, as well as other continuing education activities.
A book/anthology summarising the results within environmental, social and health law will be published. At least two articles per legal area will be published nationally and/or internationally.
Publications will be added here once published.
The project is a collaboration between Aalborg University and the University of Southern Denmark. The project is coordinated by Associate Professor Ulla Steen, Aalborg University.
The project’s advisory group includes experts in environmental law, social law, general administrative law and legal philosophy, who are consulted on ad hoc basis as needed and more formally included when relevant.
Aarhus University
- Professor Ole Windahl Pedersen (environmental/climate law)
- Associate Professor Eva Naur (social/family law)
University of Copenhagen
- Professor Mette Hartlev (health law)
- Professor Michael Gøtze (administrative law and associated fields)
Aalborg University
- Associate Professor Peter Brix Vangsgaard (legal philosophy and associated fields)
Researchers
| Name | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Klausen, John | Professor, Aalborg University | |
| Kristensen, Kent | Associate professor, Aalborg University | |
| Mortensen, Bent Ole Gram | Professor, University of Southern Denmark | |
| Steen, Ulla | Associate professor, Aalborg University | |
| Ullits, Jøren | Associate professor, University of Southern Denmark |
Funding
This project is part of the JURiB initiative funded by the VELUX FOUNDATION.
Project period: 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2028
PI: Associate Professor Ulla Steen, Aalborg University