About ARIES

• ARIES Team
• Contact Us
• Education for Sustainability Processes
• National Action Plan
• International Bonn Declaration

What we do

The Australian Research Institute for Environment and Sustainability (ARIES) is a not-for-profit research and consultancy centre that exists to promote change for sustainability. Our creative team is committed to creating a more sustainable world, and we go the extra mile to produce exceptional results. Our success is based on a strong collaborative approach to change management, stakeholder engagement and organisational development, which gives all participants ownership of the process and its results. We have been responsible for some of the most influential work in education for sustainability both nationally and internationally.

ARIES works with specialists from all disciplinary backgrounds to inform, promote and support change for sustainability. We take a systems-based, collaborative and holistic approach, researching and working across all sectors of society.

Our research informs policy

ARIES has been instrumental in informing and encouraging the adoption of Education for Sustainability (EfS) in Australia, Our research has informed Australian Government policy and has also shifted the policies and practices of business and education. As a nation Australia is now recognised as a leader in this field.

History

ARIES was established in 2003 by the Australian Government to undertake projects with government, community and business organisations to develop their capacity to achieve improvements in sustainability. We are based at the Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University.

Sustainability

Sustainability is the issue of our times. It seeks to redress the social, environmental and economic imbalances of modern society, and to ensure the wellbeing of current and future generations. Such a challenge requires individuals, organisations and societies to learn new ways of doing things.

Action research

ARIES goes beyond just providing information about sustainability. A number of ARIES projects have involved action research. Action research differs from other types of research in that its end goal is action and change, not just the accumulation of knowledge. A shared vision for a sustainable future is jointly conceived and actions for change are carried out through partnerships. A range of stakeholders participate in decision-making and are empowered to self-mobilise and create change in their own context.