Sustainability Policy Unit

The Sustainability Policy Unit is responsible for delivering some of the Government’s key sustainability commitments.

The Unit, along with the other units in the Office, is responsible for supporting the implementation of the Government’s sustainability policy People Place Prosperity, which was released by the Chief Minister in March 2003.  The policy provides a set of guiding principles on sustainability and commits Government to: embed sustainability into the systems and processes of Government decision making; adopt a partnership approach with the community; communicate and promote awareness of sustainability; and monitor and report on progress.  The policy is available here.

The Unit is responsible for compiling the ACT sustainability report Measuring Our Progress.  The first report was released by the Chief Minister in July 2004, and is available here.

The Unit is responsible for progressing the Government’s commitment to initiate the process of having the ACT declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. More information about the Biosphere Reserve project is available here.

The Unit provided secretariat support to the Sustainability Expert Reference Group (SERG), a group of independent experts who provide advice to the Chief Minister on sustainability issues.  SERG was the first of its kind in Australia, and more information about the group can be found here.  This group is in the process of being reformed following administrative changes in Government.

The Unit manages and coordinates ACT membership of, and involvement in, key sustainability organisations – the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development, ICLEI, and the Green Building Council of Australia.

The Unit, along with other units in the Office, also provides advice to Government on the sustainability aspects of its major initiatives.