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Sustainability

Macquarie University takes its responsibility to be a more sustainable campus seriously. The term ‘sustainability’ is used in a variety of contexts. Therefore understanding our interpretation of the word is important for successful implementation of initiatives and for embedding its principles into the culture of the campus.

Sustainability aims for a balance between the principles of:

• Environmental protection
• Social justice
• Economic well-being
• Diversity

Breaking this down further, we recognise that:

• Sustainability is both a journey and an end point, aiming for a balance between social justice, environmental protection and economic growth;
  
• Sustainability requires challenges to peoples thinking and practices on a continual basis in order change mindsets and build better relationships between people, and between people and their environment;
  
• Education plays a key role in change towards sustainability and the University is in a position to provide this through operational examples of best practice, educational activities and research direction;
  
• Issues associated with internationalisation, ethical practice, equality, health, climate change, planning and development, resource use, diversity and biodiversity are all intertwined and linked to sustainability; and,
  
• The active engagement and participation of students and staff is encouraged and considered integral to the successful implementation of initiatives for change.

We understand that you may not have the necessary knowledge to engage with sustainability in your work practices, though if you do, fantastic!! Nevertheless, in order to assist you we have developed online modules which focus on broadening your awareness of sustainability and also practical ways in which you can be more sustainable. You will complete these modules as part of your first week of induction.

We have numerous ways for you to get involved with sustainability, beyond everyday practices. For example, we have Bushcare@MQ, which runs twice a month and involves rehabilitating one of the creeks that runs through the campus. We also have the Sustainability Representative Network which is a network of enthusiastic champions, working with us within their departments to become more sustainable.

For information on all the initiatives, goals and targets we are achieving, please visit our website www.mq.edu.au/sustainability. Alternatively, please feel free to contact us at sustainability@mq.edu.au.