Driving Sustainability

We take a broad, interdisciplinary approach to sustainability

Western Sydney University's Securing Success 2017-2020 Strategic Plan (opens in a new window) places a student centred and research-led culture at the core of our next phase of development. Our impact driven research agenda has a focus on innovation, wellbeing and sustainability. We seek to embed sustainability principles in the delivery of our innovative teaching programs and to develop graduates that are active global citizens. We have also set out to practice what we teach and for 2020 have set environmental sustainability targets for our campus operations, procurement and teaching practices.

The Office of Sustainability is located in the Learning Futures Portfolio with the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Learning Transformations) Professor Simon Barrie. This provides us with a renewed focus on Education for Sustainability (EfS) and curriculum transformation. The newly endorsed Learning Futures Plan 2016-2020 marks the next stage of an institutional conversation about teaching and learning.

Think Global, Act Local

Western Sydney University continues to be connected and engaged with our region. We have a wide range of programs and initiatives from school's outreach, work integrated learning placements and strong research partnerships that demonstrate this commitment. The University hosts one of five Australian Regional Centre's of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development - RCE Greater Western Sydney (opens in a new window) (RCE-GWS). Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCEs) are endorsed by the United Nations University. They bring together multi stakeholder educational networks including, Universities, TAFE, Schools, NGOs, Local Councils and Government instrumentalities in a specific region to link and leverage sustainability outcomes.