Evaluation of University Students’ Perspectives on the Relationship Between Sustainability and Energy

ABSTRACT: Narrowing the gap between energy demand and supply, while improving the efficiency of energy consumption, has become one of the central sustainability challenges addressed in global policy agendas. Implementing energy management systems in public institutions and organizations is important for achieving this balance. University campuses can be considered small cities, as they serve as living spaces for students. Therefore, since establishing an energy management system is a long-term process, its timely implementation and the creation of an effective system can only be achieved if the students actively using the campus understand and take ownership of the concept. This study explores the role of students as active participants in campus energy management, with a particular focus on integrating the ISO 50001 Energy Management System into higher education environments. A mixed-methods approach was used at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University’s (AYBU) Etlik Campus, combining longitudinal building energy consumption data (2019–2023) with a face-to-face survey of 201 students from nine departments within the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. The survey assessed students’ knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to participate in energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives. The findings suggest that while students are generally aware of sustainability concepts, their technical familiarity with standards such as ISO 50001 and units such as ton of oil equivalent (TOE) remains limited. Notably, Energy Systems Engineering (ESE) students tended to report higher awareness and stronger support for forming volunteer, student-led energy management units. Based on the findings, student-led energy management units may serve as a participatory mechanism to improve energy-data transparency, strengthen operational energy literacy, and support sustainability-oriented campus practices. This approach offers a repeatable framework for higher education institutions seeking to align operational energy performance with student-led sustainability actions.