Quality education for sustainable development

Griffith embeds the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into learning and teaching, equipping future generations with the knowledge and skills to tackle global challenges and become change makers consistent with our Griffith Graduate Attributes. Our Academic Plan 2021-2025 outlines how we will support the holistic development of students through curriculum that integrates Indigenous perspectives and cultural competency, mental health and wellbeing and awareness and understanding of sustainability including the Sustainable Development Goals.

Through dedicated degrees and courses that address sustainability and the SDGs, Griffith graduates gain the skills, knowledge, and qualities to become sustainability leaders in their communities to address global challenges. A Griffith environmental science degree, for example, provides the knowledge, skills and experience you need to play your part in the future and help meet SDG targets. Griffith environmental and sustainability degrees and courses enable our graduates to investigate issues in biodiversity, land and water sustainability, renewable energy, energy conservation, carbon capture and emission management, sustainable building design, urban planning, public health and well-being, economic development, triple bottom line analysis, and environmental, national and international treaty law and much more.

Find out more about our Griffith Graduate Attributes.

4 Quality education

Sustainable Development Goals

Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and committed to tackling global challenges around quality and accessible life-long education.

Sustainability courses

Sustainability and Systems Thinking

7700IBA

This course introduces students to the MBA core values and allows them to explore sustainability, its key themes and models and how to begin to develop a sustainability strategy.

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The Politics of Environment and Sustainability

2101GIR

Understanding the politics of the environment and sustainability has never been more important. In the context of global climate and environmental change, this course explores issues at the forefront of today's political agenda.

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Introduction to Environmental Sustainability

1043SCG

This course introduces students to the concept of environmental sustainability and how it can be used to solve real world problems.

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Sustainable Environments

2659QCA

This course provides students with an introduction to leading concepts of sustainability (ecological worldview, circular design, bio-inspired design, biophilia) and their application to Interior/Spatial Design.

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Sustainable Economics

1310AFE

This course provides the foundation knowledge of economic concepts and principles and develops your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to enable you to engage in meaningful discussions concerning local and global issues. You will explore economic growth, sustainability, SDGs, and the interaction of social and economic development.

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Sustainability and Health

1982MED

This course examines how the state of health of the population is interrelated with and dependent upon the integrity and health of the global physical, social, cultural and economic environments.

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Leadership for Sustainable Business

7121IBA

This course helps build students' understanding of the knowledge, skills and activities required to lead change in organisations in a range of sectors.

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Policymaking and Planning for Climate Change

7057ENV

This course offers students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the policymaking process and how it can be applied in responding to the problem of climate change.

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Our commitment to SDG 4

At Griffith University, we are committed to:

  • Ensuring all students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, are aware of the challenges facing the world and have the knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems.
  • Providing students with the ethical and theorical foundations to contribute to work and society through values-based behaviour.
  • Highlighting the crucial role partnerships play in addressing contemporary challenges, requiring global citizens who are collaborative, resilient, adaptable, creative and critical problem solvers.
  • Offering inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all in alignment with SDG 4 - Quality Education through scholarships, counselling and wellbeing curricular and co-curricular initiatives, open access resources, free library membership for the community, and community and industry events and education.

Griffith University is a member of the:

  • Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN Australia, New Zealand and Pacific) - collaborating with other universities in the region to develop solutions, policies and education for sustainable development.
  • Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS) - Australasia’s only independent not for profit, member-led organisation supporting university campuses to play a pivotal role in building a sustainable future for all.

Students and staff can access free information, resources, and networks through both ACTS and SDSN. Visit their webpages or contact the Sustainability Office for more information.

Contact Griffith Sustainability

Griffith Sustainability Room 0.08, Building N23, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan QLD, 4111