Origins

In July 2004, a group of 14 consultants working in a variety of areas of sustainability met for a casual dinner to network and explore the idea of setting up a more formal professionals association. There was a feeling that ‘sustainability’ was emerging as a legitimate and recognisable profession across the business, government, community and education sectors, yet many practitioners experienced a sense of isolation in their field, and wanted to know how and where others were working in sustainability.

From there, a core group of volunteers (between five and ten at each meeting) progressed the idea which included developing a purpose, governance structure, constitution, membership and website. The group also explored links with other similar associations and concluded that whilst there were a few groups with similar intent, this association had exciting potential to fill a gap through its cross-sectoral, inclusive character.

Minutes from each meeting were recorded and distributed as widely as possible among personal networks. From there, a large interest base grew steadily. The work culminated in a January 2005 election for office-bearers, where 15 people nominated for five officer positions and 13 for four general positions. Incorporation under the Associations Act followed shortly thereafter.

In April 2005, SPA was officially launched by then-Governor, Lieutenant General John Sanderson. Click here to read the Governor’s launch speech.

Purpose

Vision

To be an enduring, high impact association connecting and helping to develop Australian sustainability practitioners

Mission

To enable our members to become more effective in pursuing sustainability, through the following key levers:

• Fostering meaningful relationships
• Building and expanding their knowledge base
• Developing skills and tools
• Gaining wide-ranging experience
• Accessing support
• Benefiting from the collective wisdom of members

Objectives

• Share sustainability experience and knowledge
• Mentor future sustainability practitioners
• Raise sustainability awareness and encourage adoption of more sustainable practices.

Guiding principles

Being relevant, respectful of diversity, professional, informative, innovative, ethical, collaborative and democratic.

Benefits

SPA aims to benefit and add value to a range of stakeholders in everything we do:

• Supporting members to develop along their chosen pathway
• Helping Committees to leverage their impact
• Promoting sponsors by encouraging members to support their endeavours
• Connecting students with experienced mentors and potential employers
• Helping employers by fostering the capacity and impact of the sustainability profession
• Serving future generations by helping to resource the transition to a more sustainable world.

To view the SPA constitution, click here.