Sustainable Living Foundations Course

Equip Yourself with the Knowledge and Tools to Start Living More Sustainably and Reduce your Environmental Impact.

This course, featuring some leading Australian sustainability experts, offers an engaging introduction to sustainability principles, with practical guidance on how to make a real difference. Gain the knowledge and tools to confidently reduce your environmental impact—whether you’re looking to start making eco-friendly choices at home, inspire sustainable practices at work, or support community-wide initiatives.

• Perfect for anyone ready to build a strong foundation in sustainability, this course offers simple, actionable steps to help you drive positive change for yourself and others.
• Explore the principles of sustainability: Learn the essential concepts that drive sustainability and why these are crucial for protecting our planet.
• Reduce your environmental impact: Learn practical strategies to cut waste, save energy, and make eco-friendly choices that fit seamlessly into your lifestyle.
• Understand sustainable practices across sectors: Discover how industries like agriculture, energy, and construction are adopting sustainable practices and how you can support these efforts.
• Incorporate sustainable habits into daily life: Develop simple, effective habits—from mindful consumption to reducing your carbon footprint—that lead to lasting change.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Sustainable Living Foundations course, you will have learned how to:

• Describe the fundamental principles of sustainability and why they matter.
• Apply strategies to reduce waste and conserve resources in your home and community.
• Understand the importance of sustainable practices across industries.
• Identify opportunities to reduce your carbon footprint in daily life.
• Recognise eco-friendly products and practices that align with sustainable living.
• Demonstrate knowledge of renewable energy and its role in environmental conservation.
• Communicate the importance of sustainable practices to others.

Once you complete the course, you will be issued a Digital Badge and a Certificate of Completion.

Course Content

What will be covered in this Sustainable Living Foundations course?

During this course, a panel of sustainability experts will guide you through the following topics:

• Introduction to Sustainability: An overview of sustainability and its significance in today's world.
• Sustainable Living Practices: Explore practical actions for waste reduction, recycling, and resource conservation.
• Energy & Environmental Impact: Understand the importance of renewable energy and how it reduces carbon footprints.
• Sustainability in Agriculture and Food Systems: Learn how sustainable practices impact food production and agricultural methods.
• Sustainable Construction and Urban Development: Discover eco-friendly construction methods and urban planning for sustainable cities.
• Sustainable Consumer Habits: Identify ways to make more sustainable purchasing decisions.

Course activities & (optional) assignments

Please note there is no requirement to submit any activities in this course for grading. However, the course includes the following activities and assignments for practical application:

• Personal Sustainability Audit: Review your own sustainability practices and set achievable goals for improvement.
• Eco-Friendly Product Assessment: Evaluate everyday products for environmental impact and sustainable attributes.
• Carbon Footprint Calculation: Calculate your carbon footprint and explore ways to reduce it.

This course takes approximately 10 hours to complete. 

Student Reviews

Intended Audience

Who is this Sustainable Living Foundations course for?

This course is ideal for:

• Individuals passionate about environmental conservation: Perfect for anyone interested in learning what sustainability truly means, why it’s essential, and how to make impactful choices in daily life.
• Curious learners seeking to deepen their knowledge: For those who want a foundational understanding of sustainability and practical ways to contribute to a more sustainable future.
• Community leaders and advocates: Designed for those looking to inspire positive change and promote sustainable practices within their communities.
• Professionals in related fields: Ideal for people working in agriculture, energy, or construction who want to enhance their understanding of sustainable practices and apply them in their work.

Course Materials

This course is delivered online through a partner education provider.

You will need access to either a computer, laptop, or tablet with an internet connection. No other prerequisites are required.

This self-paced course fits around your schedule, featuring:

• Engaging video lessons and insights from industry experts
• Quizzes and activities to help solidify your understanding

Featured Experts

This course features a panel of prominent sustainability experts, each bringing unique insights and expertise:

• Joost Bakker: Creator of Future Food System and a renowned eco-entrepreneur. Joost is a leader in sustainable design, known for creating zero-waste, regenerative spaces, including the iconic fully sustainable house in Melbourne's Federation Square.
• Abbie Freestone: Founder of Rewild Agency and a sustainability consultant. With a background in environmental leadership, Abbie specialises in sustainability measurement, strategy, and education, helping businesses embed sustainable practices.
• James Perrin: Sustainability Manager at Stone & Wood Brewing Co. With experience in environmental engineering and community strategy, James champions ethical business and environmentalism, overseeing sustainability at Stone & Wood and its inGrained Foundation.
• Brett Giddings: Sustainability and Impact Director at Trace. Brett works globally with brands to drive climate-positive actions, making sustainability accessible and inspiring communities to engage in meaningful environmental change.