Healthy people healthy planet The Sustainability Imperative AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE The Australian National Sustainability Initiative www.sustainability.org.au is the result of a three- year nation-wide collaborative and consultative process that identified a need for a cross-sectoral network of individuals, groups and organisations working for sustainability, and establishment of a national centre to support such a network. Around 300 groups and individuals have already registered to participate in the proposed Network. This is expected to expand as the initiative develops. The Centre will be located in the National Capital at one of a number of sites being discussed with the National Capital Authority and the ACT Government. Both bodies have made strong commitments of support to the Centre. Vision Findings The Australian National Sustainability Initiative will offer a national Through the collaboration and consultation process we found a resource that continually introduces new perspectives, facilitates growing consensus in Australia that many of our current practices partnerships and promotes diverse approaches in working towards and systems of development are unsustainable. The capacity exists to sustainability. This initiative aims to develop a new kind of facility and remedy these problems, as we move toward a more humane and network that complements and supports existing community activities sustainable future that: and stimulates new ones. It will accelerate progress towards a just, ◗ addresses the causes as well as the symptoms of unsustainability healthy and ecologically sustainable Australia, and provide a model for establishment of future regional centres and networks. ◗ brings together the wealth of local and expert knowledge in this country to redesign our systems and practices ◗ works to maximise collaboration between governments, bureaucracies, academic disciplines and the wider community. A big part of the problem, I believe, has The national collaborative process canvassed views from around 3 000 organisations and individuals from across industry, science, been the failure to recognise that we cannot government and the general public. Comments were received from “ succeed by continuing to deal mainly with 700 respondents. They see the initiative as a means of working towards a healthy, just, and sustainable Australia. A sample of the symptoms. responses is provided in Attachment 1, and is summarised below. Respondent G Mosley The process found strong support for the Sustainability Network and ” for a National Sustainability Centre to support this network and provide facilities for organisations and individuals to come together in working for a more sustainable society. This Action Plan describes how momentum can be developed into a nation-wide movement to advance sustainability objectives in Australia, the region and the world. There are three main elements to this action plan: the Network, the centre and a green office building. The Network Green office building The seeds of the Network are in place, and will mature into a fully Due to strong expressions of interest, a landmark sustainable office interactive, integrated and well-resourced knowledge sharing and building is likely to be included for Canberra-based firms or government communication system. The nucleus will be an online community for agencies that wish to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. all groups and individuals involved in sustainability-related activities Such a building would be located either in an office precinct, such as in Australia. It will provide a central reference point and educational the CBD or at the same location as the Centre. resource on sustainability issues, stimulate collaboration, facilitate dissemination of sustainability innovations and practical Opportunities to participate applications, and provide research support for the community, There are numerous ways to benefit from membership of the business and government. Network; by mounting a display, running an educational program, supplying sustainable materials and technologies to build the Centre, The Centre financial sponsorship, membership of a support group and, of course, The Centre will be a model eco-development located in the National as a future visitor to the Centre. Capital, possibly on the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin. Its buildings Separate sponsorship packages are available for organisations will demonstrate an advanced standard of ecologically sustainable seeking a permanent relationship with the Centre for education, architecture, and provide an opportunity to showcase emerging showcasing, professional development, commercial or other sustainable technologies. purposes. The application form to register your participation is below. The buildings will accommodate many activities, such as an When you have completed your application, please pass this Action education centre, conference space, work spaces for organisations, Plan on to others who may also wish to participate. Electronic copies exhibitions of innovative technologies and displays from various are available on our web site and may be freely circulated through regions. The grounds will accommodate such activities as interpretive your networks. We ask only that the document is transmitted in its walks through the wetlands, an outdoor theatre, playgardens and entirety www.sustainability.org.au. demonstrations of urban agriculture (see site plan on p. 23). The focus will be on integrating the arts, sciences and humanities in the We encourage you to take this opportunity to participate in bringing service of sustainability, with areas for family recreation, education together the diverse economic, business, social, environmental and and nature walks; with structures that generate their own power, political interests to chart directions for a more sustainable Australia. catch and treat their own water and sewerage, and contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem services. The Interim Board, Australia National Bicentre Inc The biggest problem I see with “ the quest for sustainability is that people have no alternative vision of how society may operate. Respondent R Sanders” Australian National Biocentre Inc. GPO Box 11, CANBERRA ACT 2601 Tel: 02 6287 1538 Fax: 02 6287 4489 Email: [email protected] Web: www.sustainability.org.au ACTION PLAN | ANSI AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE | Healthy people, healthy planet © Australian National Biocentre Inc. 2004 ISBN This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Australian National Biocentre Inc. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to: Australian National Biocentre Inc. ABN 47693147217 GPO Box 11, CANBERRA ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6287 1538 Fax: 02 6287 4489 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.sustainability.org.au The average Australian home is responsible for producing around 15 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Housing should aim to go beyond simply reducing impacts on the biosphere, to improving basic environmental systems, such as biodiversity, and energy production. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to thank the thousands of Australians who are working for a more sustainable Australia. In particular, we would like to mention the 700 groups and individuals who responded to our invitation for comments on the potential role and activities of a National Sustainability Initiative; the residents of the lower Murrumbidgee Valley for their cooperation as a case study of sustainability in action; the respondents who re-sent comments after much of the original feedback was lost in the Canberra bushfires of 18 January 2003; the management and staff of the Canberra Institute of Technology, Weston Horticulture Campus, who generously provided office space after the Canberra fires; and all the people who helped prepare this Action Plan. The concept underlying this initiative was put forward initially by Dr Stephen Boyden who thought that a Biological Centre which looked at whole ecosystem functioning would complement the Australian National Botanical Gardens (which focus on plants in isolation) and zoos (which do the same for animals). Subsequently, a group of students and staff from the University of Canberra, headed by Dr Darren Phillips, worked on the idea of a technology centre of excellence for sustainable systems. Ideas from both these initiatives in incorporated into this Action Plan. Australian National Biocentre Planning Group Funding for this project was provided by Nature and Society Forum members and the Australian Government through the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, and the Department of Health and Ageing. A potential site for the National Centre for Sustainability has been selected, in consultation with the National Capital Authority. The Australian Capital Territory Government has agreed to set aside an adjoining area for the duration of the feasibility work. ACTION PLAN | ANSI 3 Human life should grow, not quantitatively “ through the conquest of nature, but qualitatively in cooperation with nature. ” Rene Dubos 1976 4 ACTION PLAN | ANSI SUMMARY Healthy People, Healthy Planet – the Sustainability Imperative Australian National Sustainability Initiative www.sustainability.org.au is the result of a three-year nation-wide collaborative and consultative process that identified a need for a cross-sectoral network of individuals,