In an increasingly complex and interconnected world that is experiencing significant socio-ecological challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation, it is imperative that students are empowered to think critically and ethically to assist them to be compassionate and informed agents of change. Sustainability can be defined as meeting ‘the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.¹It is a priority for study that connects and relates relevant aspects of content across multiple curriculum areas. This cross-curriculum priority is based on but not limited to the 4 pillars of sustainable development – economic, social, environmental and cultural²– with opportunities to explore partnerships and peace.³

In this cross-curriculum priority, economic sustainability refers to managing agricultural and horticultural practices in ways that support long-term economic production and waste management, water usage and carbon emissions. Social sustainability is about individuals having a decent standard of living in a healthy environment and extends to land custodianship that is considerate of the broad community and future generations of all species. Environmental sustainability refers to biodiversity and climate change, and protection, mitigation and rehabilitation strategies for land, soil, water and air. Cultural sustainability refers to maintaining and preserving ways of being, knowing and doing, including, but not limited to, customs, language and heritage; it is also about respecting and supporting cultural expressions and investigating the benefits of integrating traditional knowledge and practices with newer technologies.

Through this cross-curriculum priority, students investigate different knowledge systems and environmental management practices, both locally and globally, including partnerships, to develop the ability to engage with complex and significant ecological challenges, such as preventing biodiversity loss, reducing land degradation and mitigating the effects of climate change.

The Sustainability cross-curriculum priority raises students’ awareness of the world around them. It encourages them to consider the impact of their choices and to take positive actions that will ensure ecological integrity and equitable use of natural resources for all species, thus creating a sustainable world. Students investigate and analyse the requirements for sustainable living, including ways to address poverty; appreciate and preserve diversity; and understand interdependence, connections and collaboration across systems. Students investigate, analyse and select ways that they can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

As well as developing an understanding of the impact of individual and collective actions and responsibility, through this cross-curriculum priority students are provided with opportunities to recognise the complexity and beauty of ecosystems and analyse the interconnections between economic, social, environmental and cultural systems and the importance of partnerships and peace.

The Sustainability cross-curriculum priority provides opportunities for students to use current knowledge and analyse trends to predict what will happen in the future. When students envision the future, they can ask what actions must be taken to get there. Students reflect on how they interpret and engage with the world and consider possible actions that support more sustainable patterns of living, considering connections to people and places, and ensuring ecological integrity and meeting the need for social and ecological regeneration.

¹United Nations (1987) Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future, p. 16, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals website.

²World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments (2010) Culture: Fourth Pillar of Sustainable Development, policy statement, United Cities and Local Governments website.

³United Nations (2015) Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development website.