360° of change: 360 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions reduction in a school

Abstract

A greenhouse gas emissions reduction initiative, involving a progressive series of plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been successfully implemented for over five years at a primary school in Western Australia. A ten tonne greenhouse gas emissions reduction target was achieved in 2011, a fifty tonne plan implemented in 2012, and a one hundred tonne plan in 2013-2014. A two hundred tonne target was reached in 2016. To achieve these targets the emissions reduction plans involved undertaking a variety of biodiversity, waste, water, energy, air quality and social actions, within a whole school, whole systems thinking perspective. The effectiveness of this initiative is illustrated by three whole systems thinking sustainability projects conducted at the school. These projects involve local bushland, wetland and international settings and actions. Evidence relating to the depth of participant involvement, together with commitment to whole systems thinking and the overarching emissions reduction initiative is highlighted. Links to biodiversity, waste, water, air quality and social interconnections were documented in relation to emissions reductions, which were achieved through actions such as tree planting, litter collection and the purchase of solar lanterns. Overall, the initiative provided a successful example of systems thinking in action and demonstrated deep interconnections between different aspects of sustainability, both within the local setting and global sustainability contexts

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