Sustainability: The BIGGER Picture

What does sustainability mean to you? 

When I ask people that question they often describe the environmental aspects of sustainability - very important and foundational aspects - recycling, connection to nature, gardening, composting, waste minimisation, energy efficiency, saving water. BUT, sustainability is about much more than that.

The EYLF 2.0 has expanded the way it defines sustainability, BUT what does this mean and how can it help you embed sustainability in your setting?

Sustainability is a concept that can mean different things to everyone.  Mostly though, people think about sustainability from an environmental point of view.  When they think sustainability they think Reduce Reuse Recycle, veggie gardens, worm farms, compost bins, connecting with nature, water tanks and solar panels.

Did you notice that the way sustainability is defined in the revised EYLF 2.0 is a bit different?  The revised framework talks about sustainability in a much broader way.  This is how it now defines sustainability:

Seeking to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations (Brundtland Report, 1987).

Contemporary understandings of sustainability span environmental, social and economic dimensions. 

BELONGING, BEING & BECOMING: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia – V2.0, 2022 Pp 68.

The introduction of the sustainability principle and the expanded definition of sustainability can help shift your understanding and broaden how you think about sustainability.  It can help shape a more integrated response to sustainability in the context of our programs and practice in early childhood settings.

When you think about sustainability more broadly, including the environmental, social and economic domains, it soon becomes clear that connections can be made to many of the other EYLF principles and Learning Outcomes. 

These three domains are all interconnected.  They are systems that impact each other.  There are cause and effect relationships everywhere. If we're to embed sustainability we need to consider how we make decisions that create positive impacts across all of these domains.  Not trading off a positive impact in one for a negative impact in another.  Think WIN WIN WIN.

When you look at your current practice through this broader lens do you see sustainability in more places?  Are you doing more than you thought you were?  If so, how does that feel?  Does it make it a bit less overwhelming, knowing you’re not starting from scratch?

The other important thing to consider is how helpful this broader sustainability outlook can be in terms of engaging others.  Many services identify getting others on board as their greatest challenge in terms of embedding sustainability.

When you see sustainability in this broader context it’s much easier to engage people who may not be great gardeners, don’t fancy being the bin police ensuring things get recycled, getting down and dirty with the worms or poking around in the smelly compost bin…

They might be great at making community connections and organising visits to your local nursing home, or writing letters to pen pals in regional areas or overseas, or recruiting volunteers to share their skills.  They might be great at setting up a clothes swap or community library, or seeking sponsorship or grant funding for projects.  Perhaps they know local businesses who have skills or resources to share.  Maybe they have cultural knowledge to share.

These are all valuable contributions to creating a sustainable future, a sustainable community and sustainable organisation. 

🔍Reflection:  How broad is your team’s understanding of sustainability?  What difference would broadening your outlook make in terms of identifying sustainability in your current practice?  How could it help engage others?

If you’d like support to identify sustainability in your current practice and the opportunities for improvement that can seamlessly integrate into your QIP and other strategic documentation, check out our Sustainability Accelerator Program. Limited places available.