Sustainability Learning Lab

Education for sustainability develops the knowledge, skills, values and world-views necessary for people to act in ways that contribute to more sustainable patterns of living.

It enables individuals and communities to reflect on ways of interpreting and engaging with the world. Sustainability education is futures-oriented, focusing on protecting environments and creating a more ecologically and socially just world through informed action.

Actions that support more sustainable patterns of living require consideration of environmental, social, cultural and economic systems and their interdependence. Sustainability education can be fun, engaging and empowering for students. It allows them to take responsibility for their actions and to contribute their vision for a sustainable future. It enables them to develop knowledge, skills, values and motivations for action, allowing them to maintain their own wellbeing – and that of their community and the planet – in an increasingly interconnected world.

Lab Focus:

Systems thinking//Education for sustainability aims to equip people to understand connections between environmental, economic, social and political systems.

Transformation and change//Education for Sustainability involves equipping people with skills, capacity and motivation to plan and manage change towards sustainability within an organisation, industry or community.
Envisioning a better future//Education for sustainability engages people in envisaging diverse, sustainable futures.

Critical Thinking and Reflection//Education for sustainability encourages individuals and groups to reflect upon personal experiences and worldviews, and challenges accepted ways of interpreting and engaging with the world.

Participation//Education for sustainability recognises community participation as critical to the collective shift towards an environmentally sustainable society.

Partnerships for change//Education for sustainability focuses on partnerships to build networks and relationships, and improve communication between different sectors of the community.

Education for all and lifelong learning//Education for sustainability is driven by a broad understanding of education and learning that includes people of all ages and backgrounds and at all stages of life and takes place within formal and informal learning places, in schools, workplaces, homes and communities.