Earth Smart Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan 2008-2012

Our environment.

Queensland enjoys a wealth of natural riches, a relaxed lifestyle and a unique environment, with almost half our species found nowhere else in the world. In addition to building Queensland's strong economy, the Queensland Government is committed to fostering environmental sustainability. The challenges we face with our growing population and climate change have a significant impact on our environment and lifestyle.

Our future and wellbeing are dependent on our ability to meet the environmental challenges we face. The Queensland Government has accepted the challenge of improving our environmental sustainability with the establishment of significant targets to protect our lifestyle and our environment.

Our Vision

Enough for all forever through caring for self, others and place

Our Queensland Government priorities

The Queensland Government is taking action to reduce our state's carbon footprint through the significant targets set out in Toward Q2: Tomorrow's Queensland. Queensland's ClimateSmart strategy will also guide Queensland's direction towards a more ecologically sustainable society.

The Department of Education, Training and the Arts (DETA) Strategic Plan 2008-2012 clearly outlines the department's goals for improved environmental sustainability. This DETA Earth Smart Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan 2008-2012 supports the DETA Strategic Plan, and outlines how DETA will contribute to the whole-of-Government approach to protecting our lifestyle and environment.

This plan is informed by the United Nations resolution on the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, and outlines how we will achieve this change across all the contexts in which the department operates.

Department of Education, Training and the Arts' role

As both a major consumer of resources and a significant agent of social change, the Department of Education, Training and the Arts has a dual role to play in supporting environmental sustainability:

As the largest government department in Queensland, we have a responsibility to reduce our ecological footprint through more efficient use of our resources.
Through our education, training, arts and cultural endeavours, we can build the community's knowledge, skills and commitment that will be required to achieve environmental sustainability.

This strategic plan is focused on three areas:

our ecological footprint
educating for sustainability
our natural environment.

More information is available by contacting Cam Mackenzie, Principal Advisor (Environmental Sustainability, Education, Programs and Services Division by email Cam Mackenzie or phone on (07) 3237 0405.

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