Faculty of Education launches sustainability website to drive climate action
The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Education has launched a new sustainability website, showcasing the Faculty’s commitment to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and other urgent environmental issues in and through education.
The website forms part of the Faculty’s Sustainability Action Plan, which embeds sustainability as a core priority in the Faculty’s Strategic Plan 2024–2026. Aligned with the University’s Sustainability Plan 2030 and the Sustainability Charter (2018), the plan reflects a ‘whole of organisation’ response, integrating sustainability across research, teaching, operations and community engagement.
Developed with input from staff, students and the Faculty’s Sustainability Committee, the Sustainability Action Plan is supported by a recently released Sustainability Report, which outlines the Faculty’s sustainability achievements and developments from 1 July 2023 until 30 June 2025. The report captures the progress of initiatives within the Faculty’s Sustainability Portfolio, including the Action Plan.
In addition, the Faculty has produced two new guidance documents providing actionable strategies for embedding sustainability in research, and learning and teaching:
The new website highlights innovative Faculty-led projects, including:
- The MECCE Project: A global collaboration of more than 100 researchers, organisations and UN agencies working to increase the quality and quantity of climate communication and education.
- SWISP Lab: An interdisciplinary ‘living lab’ exploring speculative, reparative futures in the midst of climate collapse.
- Reading Climate: A project that brings Indigenous authors, educators and students together to foreground Indigenous perspectives in climate education.
- Promoting Education for Sustainable Development: Resources co-designed with educators, alumni and students to support sustainable practices in island schools, including kitchen gardens, storytelling, and whole-school approaches.
Professor Marcia McKenzie, Associate Dean Sustainability, said the website is designed to inspire action across the Faculty community.
“Comment on the importance of embedding sustainability across education and research and how the website will help showcase Faculty initiatives while inspiring staff, students and partners to get involvement,” Professor McKenzie said.
Staff, students and partners are encouraged to engage with the Faculty’s sustainability initiatives and contribute to ongoing efforts to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
Explore the Faculty of Education Sustainability website here.