sustainability strategy - Swinburne University of Technology

sustainability
strategy
swinburne.edu.au/ncs/sustainability.html

Contents
Introduction 3
Sustainability@Swinburne :
The Vision 5
Implementing the Vision 5
Outcomes and Targets
for Sustainability 6
Culture and Stewardship 6
Teaching and
Learning Programs 6
Preamble
In developing a Sustainability Strategy, Swinburne recognises
the importance of consultation with the major stakeholders in
the Swinburne community. A series of workshops have been
conducted to determine senior management perspectives on
where Swinburne expects to be in 2015, and on their sustainability
objectives in the medium and longer term.
The workshops provided clear indications on major objectives
that are likely to impact on Swinburne, and have provided
guidance on areas for Swinburne to focus on in formulating
the Sustainability Strategy.
Drafts of the Strategy were circulated for consideration by
the consultation groups/major stakeholders and feedback
incorporated into the document prior to subsequent approval
by the University’s Executive Group (EG).
Research 7
People Development 7
Social and Community
Sustainability 7
Business and Environmental
Sustainability 8
2

Introduction
This Sustainability Strategy is embedded
in Swinburne University’s 2015 Statement.
It describes Swinburne’s objectives and
targets towards implementing sustainability
as a key driver in all Swinburne behaviours,
future planning and service delivery
outcomes.
Swinburne recognises that:
■■
as a University it has an important role
to play in preparing tomorrow’s leaders
and decision makers to contribute to a
sustainable future.
■■
as a business that services its
community, Swinburne must be part
of the change to a sustainable future.
In its operational decisions, it must strive
to find a balance between its use of
environmental resources, its growth as
a business and its position as a service
provider within the community.
Swinburne has been at the forefront of
education for sustainability for some years.
Swinburne’s Centre for Sustainability was
established in 2001 but grew in influence
from 2002 to become the National Centre
for Sustainability (NCS) through
collaboration with other tertiary institutions.
Foundation courses were established at
Swinburne, through the NCS, to include
the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability
and Diploma of Sustainability. NCS has
contributed more widely in Australia
through research and educational initiatives,
including the establishment of competency
standards in sustainability which are now
being incorporated into national training
packages in major industry sectors.
From this early strength, the pace towards
education for sustainability has grown
rapidly across the University. A three year
Swinburne Sustainability Covenant was
signed with the EPA in 2005. In concert with
this, sustainability has been mainstreamed
in the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial
Sciences courses, Faculty of Design
courses, in Commerce and Business
courses in the Faculty of Higher Education
Lilydale and in Horticulture and Environment
courses. It has been offered as an Electives
Plus stream to undergraduates, offered in
the form of two majors from Life and Social
Sciences, and most recently, opportunities
to “green” TAFE courses across the
Schools, with commensurate professional
development, are being pursued
through the Grand Green Plan. Similarly,
important professorial appointments
have been made within the University.
This Sustainability Strategy is the
next step along Swinburne’s path
towards achieving its sustainability
objectives. As a consequence of this
step, further initiatives in sustainability
will be developed and implemented
at local, national and global levels.
Building on the strength of our past
achievements and the targets in this
Sustainability Strategy, by 2015, Swinburne
aims to establish the benchmark in
sustainability for all education providers
in Australia.
Swinburne recognises
that as a University it
has an important role
to play in preparing
tomorrow’s leaders
and decision makers
to contribute to a
sustainable future.
3

Sustainability at Swinburne
The Vision
Swinburne will embrace sustainability
across all its dimensions. With the objective
of making sustainability at Swinburne a key
driver in all behaviours, future planning and
service delivery outcomes, this Strategy will
be a catalyst for drawing together existing
and emerging endeavours in sustainability
at Swinburne.
“‘Sustainability’ implies that the critical
activities of a [tertiary] institution are
ecologically sound, socially just and
economically viable, and that they will
continue to be so for future generations.
A truly sustainable university would
emphasise these concepts in its curriculum
and research, preparing students to
contribute as working citizens to an
environmentally healthy and equitable
society. The institution would function
as a sustainable community, embodying
responsible consumption of energy, water,
and food, and supporting sustainable
development in its local community
and region.” 1
Sustainability thinking represents an
emerging mode of inquiry which questions
and seeks to understand whether any
current product, process or system can
be continued indefinitely into the future
from the perspective of ecological, social
and economic viability and risk.
At Swinburne we will adopt this definition
of ‘sustainability’ and apply it to our
Strategy and to the associated initiatives.
Implementing the Vision
The Swinburne Vision, Outcomes and
Targets for the Sustainability Strategy focus
on six interdependent priority directions with
the aim of delivering University cohesiveness
and consistency in effort and performance.
Goal 1
Culture and Stewardship
To draw on the leadership, commitment and knowledge of the University and broader
community to create a working, learning and research culture which is the benchmark
in sustainability for all education providers globally.
Goal 2
Teaching and Learning
To ensure that the design, delivery and promotion of our education programs develop
appropriate discipline-specific expertise, skills and attributes in our graduates that
assist them to contribute to a sustainable future, within the context of their particular
career, profession or trade.
Goal 3
Research
To ensure that Faculties and Schools undertake research in a sustainable manner
and establish research areas that contribute to sustainability globally.
Goal 4
People Development
To build a positive enabling culture that embraces sustainability in curriculum,
research and the work place.
Goal 5
Social and Community Sustainability
To maximise our dual sector strengths to create a transformational model for community
and sustainable educational partnerships which embraces social inclusion and diversity.
Goal 6
Business and Environmental Sustainability
To be an efficient, effective and sustainable organisation.
The six priority areas are:
■■
Culture and Stewardship
■■
Teaching and Learning
■■
Research
■■
People Development
■■
Social and Community Sustainability
■■
Business and Environmental
Sustainability
4
1 University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF) and associated Tailloires Declaration

OUTCOMES AND TARGETS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
The following outcome measures are for 2015 and targets are for 2010
Culture and Stewardship
2015 Outcome Measures
Recognition as a national leader in sustainability education
Develop five strategic partnerships and links within and between the government, industry
and the community sectors that will further Swinburne’s sustainability objectives
Build a positive sustainability related workplace culture demonstrated in personal
accountability (as measured by the PDR process), participation in sustainability activities and
engagement (as measured in the staff satisfaction survey)
Management planning, practices and policies within Swinburne demonstrate alignment with
the Sustainability Vision
2010 Targets
■■
Become a signatory to the international Talloires Declaration 2 ; to facilitate sustainability and
initiate one benchmarking activity with another educational institution
■■
Develop and implement a process (including the budget) for investigating, approving and
funding appropriate sustainability initiatives at Swinburne
■■
Develop a range of KPIs related to sustainability to be included in the PDR system as part of the
Swinburne behaviours as a key performance indicator
■■
Develop and Implement a “Sustainability @ Swinburne” web portal that highlights all the sustainability
offerings delivered by Swinburne in the areas of education, research and staff development
■■
Host at least three university wide events annually which facilitate relevant debate and communication
between staff and business units thereby encouraging engagement of interested staff
■■
Develop and implement a communication strategy for both internal and external stakeholders
which enhances awareness and engagement, promotes sustainability related activities and reports
on the University’s progress towards its sustainability objectives
■■
Strategic planning process amended to ensure the sustainability strategy is reflected in all levels
of planning to ensure international best practice by 2011
Teaching and Learning Programs
2015 Outcome Measures
100% of programs have sustainability embedded in the learning objectives,
content and delivery strategy
2010 Targets
■■
Ensure that the design, delivery and promotion of all Higher Education programs develop
appropriate discipline-specific expertise, skills and attributes in our graduates that assist them
to contribute to a sustainable future, within the context of their particular professions. This will
be undertaken through the normal re-accreditation process of programs
■■
Award the first Vice Chancellor’s Student Award for Sustainable Communities which
encourages the sustainability skills and attributes in our graduates
2 The Talloires Declaration is a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach at colleges and
universities worldwide. To date it has been signed by over 400 universities and colleges
5

Research
2015 Outcome Measures
Increase by 50% the number of enrolled PhDs undertaking research with explicit
sustainability objectives
Increase by 50% research income obtained for clearly identifiable sustainability
linked research
Increase by 25% refereed sustainability linked research publications in
A and A* ranked outlets.
2010 Targets
■■
Swinburne Postgraduate Scholarship advertisements to proactively identify sustainability
foci in concert with other key thematic areas
■■
Review scope of sustainability oriented research being undertaken at Swinburne, coupled
with identification of baseline metrics
People Development
2015 Outcome Measures
50% of teaching, research, support and ancillary staff will have undertaken
professional development in sustainability
Increase staff participation by 50% in the ‘How to be Green at Swinburne’ 3 programs
2010 Targets
■■
Develop and implement a professional development strategy for staff which includes
a range of professional development opportunities of interest to all staff
■■
Complete and implement the development of a unit of study that could be taken for cross
credit by participants in both TAFE (Vocational Grad Cert in Education and Training for
Sustainability) and H Ed (new Grad Cert In Teaching and Learning)
6
3 A range of programs and methods for developing healthier, cheaper and greener transport for Swinburne staff and for Swinburne Offices to reduce their spending on resource use
and their impact on the environment. Details of these programs are available at: www.swinburne.edu.au/ncs/SustainableSwin/SustainableSwinburne.html

Social and Community Sustainability
2015 Outcome Measures
All campuses demonstrate an acceptable Swinburne sustainability educational
community model
Provide a safe and equitable and sustainable work environment to all staff and students.
Quality, sustainability and growth established as priorities for Swinburne’s international
partnerships, with multi-dimensional relationships established with at least five new
offshore partners
2010 Targets
■■
Develop a model for Swinburne’s sustainability educational community by investigating
and piloting a project at Lilydale
Business and Environmental Sustainability
2015 Outcome Measures
Swinburne’s progress will be clearly demonstrated in its annual reporting and
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting
All outcomes identified in the Swinburne University Environmental Management Plan,
incorporating targets for energy, water, air travel, vehicle travel, recycling, landfill and
carbon are achieved reducing our carbon emissions to 38,454 tonnes
2010 Targets
■■
Prepare for the implementation of GRI reporting in 2011
■■
Swinburne will work within a framework of financial sustainability that will ensure a robust
financial platform for current operations and future development
■ ■ Achieve annual targets for energy, water, air travel, vehicle travel, recycling, landfill and carbon
as set out in the Swinburne University Environmental Management Plan resulting in a reduction
of carbon emissions to 43,000 tonnes
7

Sustainability Strategy Contributors
Sustainability Working Group
Andrew Smith Facilities and Services Group
Garry McDonald National Centre for Sustainability
John Wilson
Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences
Linda Brown
TAFE Office of Director
Margaret Mazzolini Higher Education, Swinburne Professional Learning
Pauline Carrafa Chancellery
Peter Newton Faculty of Life and Social Sciences
Peter Shadbolt TAFE School of Business
Sustainability Strategy Workshop Participants and Circulation Group
Ian Young
Michael Thorne
Adrian Evans
Evangeline Elijido-Ten
Ken Heskin
Ken Friedman
Ajay Kapoor
John Beynon
Dianne Bolton
Kay Lipson
Chris Pilgrim
Arran Gare
Louise Dunn
Lyndon Anderson
Russell Crawford
Catherine Lang
Frank Fisher
Sue Lewis
Andy Flitman
Simon Lane
Ingrid Wittman
Joan Cashion
Louise Palmer
Howard Coats
Simon Cochaud
Ron Barrow
Trevor Plumridge
Frederick Hellriegel
Robyn Jackson
Lynette Firminger
Sheila Fitzgerald
Chancellery
Chancellery
Facilities and Services Group
Faculty of Business and Enterprise
Faculty of Business and Enterprise
Faculty of Design
Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences
Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences
Faculty of Higher Education Lilydale
Faculty of Higher Education Lilydale
Faculty of Information and Communication Technology
Faculty of Life and Social Sciences
Faculty of Life and Social Sciences
Faculty of Life and Social Sciences
Faculty of Life and Social Sciences
Higher Education, Swinburne
Professional Learning
national Centre for Sustainability
national Centre for Sustainability
Research
taFE Centre for New Manufacturing
TAFE Office of Director
TAFE Office of Director
TAFE Office of Director
TAFE School of Arts, Hospitality and Science
TAFE School of Business
taFE School of Engineering
TAFE School of Engineering
TAFE School of Horticulture and Environment
TAFE School of Social Sciences
TAFE Strategic and Business Development
TAFE Strategic and Business Development
More information
National Centre for
Sustainability
T : (03) 9210 1903
E : ncs@swin.edu.au
www.swinburne.edu.au/
ncs/sustainability.html
The information contained in this brochure was
correct at the time of printing (Feb 2010).
SP1337-20-0210