UNSW leads the Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub (SCaW) as part of the second phase of the National Environmental Science Program (NESP2). It is a long-term commitment by the Australian Government to deliver co-designed environmental research. NESP brings scientists together with Traditional Owners, land managers, policymakers, governments and NGOs to co-create science that drives real-world impact.
A healthy environment is essential to the vitality and prosperity of people. Communities are the level where sustainability is most keenly felt and where actions are often most effective in co-creating successful human and environmental outcomes. The Sustainable Communities thematic area aims to support improvements in environmental health, human wellbeing and livability of Place.
Sustainable Communities research
Regional and remote communities need place-based and fit-for-purpose interventions to support sustainable communities, healthy environments and circular economies. This theme encourages economies of purpose rather than economies of scale. Connecting learnings between different regions can help inspire other local and national approaches to environmental and waste management transitions.
With the transition to a circular economy underway, waste can be recovered and reused by creating resource pathways and technical innovations. Sustainable waste management will see materials kept in use as opposed to being sent to landfill or polluting nature. Our Hub is focused on driving impact for material streams including end-of-life plastics, tyres, rubber and more.
