Macquarie University - Students at Macquarie

www.mq.edu.au

“Without doubt the key benefit from EcoSTEPS is their ability to take the overwhelmingly complex challenges associated with corporate sustainability and condense and design a system which tailor makes the essence to be absorbed by each part of the organisation.

At first to involve every member of a 400 staff body seemed too much. Quietly Julian and Carole helped and coerced us beyond where we thought we could go to a system where we self analyse and ensure relevance of sustainability practices at all levels of the organisation as a key component of our business planning.”
Lowan Sist (Chief Executive Officer), Macquarie University, Students at Macquarie (SAM)


Situation:

As a leading University, Macquarie wishes to ‘walk the talk’ with regard to its own sustainability strategy and actions.

Approach:

Initial internal ‘champions’ were identified and focus group meetings held to identify the individual and organisational drivers. A preliminary sustainability review has been undertaken

Outcomes:

Development of an integrated TBL strategy designed to engage progressively all departments and staff.

EcoSTEPS were engaged by Macquarie University Union to design, develop and deliver a comprehensive approach to TBL sustainability for the organisation, its members, staff, customers and infrastructure. The following steps were undertaken:

1. Top Team Engagement
2. Develop Sustainability Policy
3. Develop Sustainability Management Framework & Action Plan
4. Educate Senior Staff
5. Progressive staff education and roll-out
6. Expand sphere of sustainability influence progressively across SAM and Campus

EcoSTEPS worked with SAM as a ‘critical friend’ on their ‘sustainability journey’, including liaison and support – as required – and facilitating integration with other campus-wide sustainability initiatives eg Vice Chancellor’s office, Graduate School of the Environment (GSE – Assoc Prof Daniella Tilbury), ARIES (Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability) etc.

Find out how EcoSTEPS can assist your organisation, please contact us.

C1 Academia & Research