sustainability strategy - Swinburne University of Technology

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.
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