Sustainability research to be boosted by institute

Research into sustainability will be boosted by the Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute. Headed by sustainability expert Prof Peter Newman, the institute is a multidisciplinary research centre that undertakes research focused on sustainable cities and regions, and sustainable global development, politics, policy and economics. 

Newman, who developed the State Sustainability Strategy from 2001 to 2003, said the idea of 'sustainability' in a wide range of human endeavours is a relatively new concept and is now becoming a mainstream idea for business and government.

Moreover, Newman emphasised that the development of sound sustainability policy is critical in the volatile global environment to give us an economically competitive edge.

“With the great challenges facing us such as climate change, peak oil and threats to biodiversity, we can either be overwhelmed or turn the challenges into economic opportunities," Newman said.

“This is why sustainability policy is fundamental and fast developing as a recognised profession and a multidisciplinary research field in its own right.

“The institute is committed to advancing sustainability policy to benefit Western Australians and to reach new heights of research at the state, national and international levels.”

Established in January this year and based in Fremantle, the CUSP Institute is a frontline research and teaching Institute for how Curtin will be pursuing its goals in sustainability.

The CUSP Institute aims to be a provider of frontline research, teaching and policy advice in sustainability policy, with an emphasis on implementation. It undertakes key research activities and offers multi-level and multi-disciplinary sustainability programs that focus on societal learning, policy development and implementation of sustainable practice.

The institute’s four key areas of research include:

• Sustainable cities: city policy, urban planning, transport, water and waste.
• Sustainable regions: natural resource management, regional and rural WA, rangelands, coasts and the sea, Indigenous sustainability.
• Sustainable global development: innovation in technology, renewable energy, population policy, women and development.
• Sustainable politics, policy and economics: social justice, environmental justice, globalisation, policy development, participatory democracy, social movements to achieve sustainability.

For more information, visit http://sustainability.curtin.edu.au/.