Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment
Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technologies
Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technologies
Overview
Our world is one of finite resources – resources that have been
exploited in the pursuit of survival, comfort, wealth and
life-style. Over the last two decades there has been an almost
global recognition that ‘things have to change’; that communities
cannot continue to plunder and pollute the environment without
serious long-term consequences.
Many organisations and governments have responded to this awareness
by attempting to reduce waste, conserve water and stationary energy
sources and restrict transport-related emissions. Traditionally
their approach has focused on altering the infrastructure,
introducing new technology and/or passing legislation. These
structural changes are an important start but they are simply that…
a start. Long term change, by way of contrast, relies on behavioural
change.
Recent research, both in Australia and overseas, emphasises the need
to both understand and apply the principles of behaviour change in
the creation of a sustainable future. People throughout Australia –
individuals employed in transport, energy, waste and water – have
often worked in isolation or as part of small specialised teams on
implementing practical behaviour change strategies or extending
their knowledge base. Opportunities to share theory and practice
across disciplines and to learn from the ideas, experiences and
strategies of others have been lacking. Until now.
This 2-day workshop, designed to bring together people from
transport, energy, waste and water, will address the behaviour
change required for a sustainable future.
Proposed program
Wednesday 25 September 2002
Day one will feature a series of guest speakers including
Michelle Shipworth (author of ‘Motivating Home Energy Action: a
handbook of what works’), Uean Williams (Moreland Energy
Foundation), Ian McGregor (KESAB) and Liz Ampt (Steer Davies Gleave),
addressing topics including:
• environmental sustainability though household behaviour change
• energy use: from theory to practice – a city wide example
• state and national initiatives on household behaviour change in
waste
• travel behaviour change at the level of the individual and the
household
Thursday 26 September 2002
Day two will feature a series of guest speakers including Dr
Geoff Syme (CSIRO), Dr Alan Perkins (Transport SA), Assoc Prof Wasim
Saman (UniSA),, Professor Phil Howlett (UniSA) and Jennifer Pitcher
(Australian Greenhouse Office), addressing topics incluidng:
• promoting voluntary household water conservation in Perth
• water cycle management at Mawson Lakes
• evaluation issues in measuring voluntary behaviour change –
examples from energy and transport
• developing the ideas for sustainability through household
behaviour change
In addition, facilitated workshop sessions will be employed through
the two days, to enable participants to reflect on, speculate about
and debate concepts, ideas and practices for facilitating
environmental sustainability through household behaviour change, and
to develop Action Plans for behaviour change programs. Workshop
outcomes and challenges will be debated in plenary sessions.
Lunches, morning and afternoon teas will be provided to all
participants, and a workshop dinner will be held on the Wednesday
evening.
