Our Environment, Our Future
Victoria’s Environmental Sustainability Framework
Victorians must make environmental sustainability a fundamental consideration in everything we do if we are to maximise future economic growth, maintain our quality of life and protect our unique environment.
On 20 April 2005 the Minister for Environment, the Hon John Thwaites MP, launched Victoria’s Environmental Sustainability Framework, which will be a key driver of the Government’s commitment to make Victoria a world leader in environmental sustainability.
The Framework provides direction for government, business and the community on building environmental considerations into the way we work and live.
The Framework:
- outlines the key environmental challenges Victoria faces
- explains what ‘environmental sustainability’ is and why it is important
- identifies the strategic directions we must pursue to become environmentally sustainable
- sets out objectives to be achieved and interim targets for measuring progress towards the objectives
- identifies some important steps for putting the Framework into action.
 | The Framework is just a beginning. It puts in place some important settings, but we have more to do to ensure these settings are reflected in the decisions and actions that ultimately affect Victoria’s environment. The Department of Sustainability and Environment will lead the implementation of the Framework and will work with other parts of State government, local government, business and the community to build environmental sustainability into everything we do.  Victoria’s Environmental Sustainability Framework (PDF - 706 Kb) |
In 2006, Our Environment, Our Future was followed by the Victorian Government’s $200 million Environmental Sustainability Action Statement to help government, industry, farmers, businesses and households protect our natural and built environments for future generations.
Following the release of Our Environment, Our Future, the Government committed to measuring progress to show how the state is tracking against the environmental objectives outlined in the framework.
Learning to Live Sustainably Strategy
Learning and behaviour change are critical if we are all to live sustainably.
To achieve this, Victoria needs a comprehensive, long-term approach to education and behaviour change. The Learning to Live Sustainably Strategy and Action Program, an initiative of Our Environment, Our Future, will play a central role in meeting this need. Through partnerships between government, business and community, Learning to Live Sustainably will establish strategic directions, operating principles and priority actions to be implemented through a ten year Action Program.
Draft Learning to Live Sustainably Strategy
A draft of the Learning to Live Sustainably strategy was released in 2005 for consultation with organisations involved in learning-based change for environmental sustainability.
Learning to Live Sustainably (PDF - 615 Kb)While the initial deadline for comment on the draft has now passed, the strategy is a long term program and on-going feedback is welcome. Comments can be emailed to sustainablestate@dse.vic.gov.au or forwarded to:
Learning to Live Sustainably
Environmental Sustainability Framework
Dept of Sustainability and Environment
PO Box 500, East Melbourne, VIC 3002
Learning to Live Sustainably - Programs and services for schools, communities and individuals
Learning to live sustainably means fostering life-long learning in students and community members through their engagement with real-life sustainability issues.
The Department of Primary Industries and the Department of Sustainability and Environment have a range of educational programs and resources that are available to schools, community groups and individuals. They provide opportunities to connect with the State Government departments responsible for the management of natural resources in Victoria.
Learning to Live Sustainably (PDF - 477 Kb)Sustainably – Environmental Education Programs brochure. To receive a copy contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment Customer Service Centre: 136 186.
The Sustainables Household Challenge
One of the main things Victorians want to know is what can I do to help make Victoria environmentally sustainable?
The decisions we make and actions we take can have a significant impact on Victoria’s environment, especially when you consider the cumulative impact of the many individual decisions and actions across the State. There are many things in our daily lives – at home and at work, when travelling and recreating – that we can all do to make Victoria more environmentally sustainable.
As an initial action to implement the Framework, Victorians are being invited to take The Sustainables Household Challenge, which sets out ten simple things we can all do to help make Victoria more environmentally sustainable.
Environmental Sustainability Issues Analysis for Victoria
As part of the work to develop the Framework, DSE commissioned CSIRO to review six important resource and environmental issues, and six drivers that have pervasive effects throughout the Victorian economy and, directly and indirectly, on the environmental issues of concern.
Environmental Sustainability Issues Analysis for Victoria (PDF - 660 Kb)Victoria's Ecological Footprint Report
Victoria's Ecological Footprint Report - October 2005
- Premier’s Business Sustainability Award
- Projects Making Victoria the Sustainable State
- Leading by Example
- Further Background to Sustainability
Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site.