UN Sustainable Development Goals

This white paper explores the key attributes of sustainability in small-to-medium enterprises.

We unpack what ‘Operating Responsibly’ looks like in practice, including what drives businesses to be sustainable and the key issues affecting you right now. We then examine what’s required to build resilience, so you’re better prepared to respond to future crises.

We continue to look at the future of SME sustainability through the lens of regeneration, with a focus on rebuilding and restoring economies, communities and our planet. We also propose a sustainability roadmap with 10 practical steps that any SME can apply.  

In response to the critical role digital mentors play in enabling others to access the benefits of getting online, we are proud to present the digital mentor’s handbook - eight principles of effective digital mentoring. This handbook has been developed by Queensland University, based on their research into digital mentoring in Australian communities. It aims to support digital mentors with knowledge and resources to support them on their digital mentoring journey and was developed in close consultation with digital mentors working in community organisations and libraries in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Following six years of learnings taken from a number of digital inclusion programs and partnerships, Australia Post identified a critical gap in valuing and understanding the role digital mentors play in helping learners to develop their digital skills and confidence. At the same time, many of Australia Post’s community partners were also exploring how their digital mentors could better support learners in various environments, including group-based courses, peer-to-peer learning, and one-on-one sessions. Australia Post consequently partnered with Queensland University of Technology’s Digital Media Research Centre (DMRC) in July 2018 to investigate digital mentorship, in a variety of formats and community contexts.

This research is the first of its kind in Australia to focus on the role of the digital mentor in a digital learning interaction.

Social procurement leverages an organisation’s buying power to deliver social value, above and beyond the value of the goods or services being procured. This White Paper summarises the state of social procurement in Australia by exploring the key drivers of this agenda, ongoing challenges, and opportunities for the future. These insights are informed by interviews conducted with subject matter experts.

The paper forms part of our commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular Goal 12 – responsible consumption and production.

This White Paper is informed by widespread literature reviews and interviews with circular economy experts, corporate, government and non-for-profit sectors as well as industry associations, resource recovery and online shopping companies. It explores the concept of the circular economy, key ingredients in transitioning to a circular economy, and six areas of change and ongoing debate. The paper forms part of Australia Post’s commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular Goal 12 – responsible consumption and production.

As Australia progresses into the digital age, most Australians take for granted their access to the Internet and their ability to engage online.

Yet research suggests that one in seven (around three million Australians) are not Internet users. Whether by choice or due to lack of access or low skills, they face a real risk of being left behind as digitisation reshapes our country and economy.

The Digital Participation white paper and broader Digital Inclusion report, produced in partnership with BehaviourWorks Australia, explores this ‘digital exclusion’ and its characteristics, causes and possible solutions.
 

This white paper has been produced in partnership with the Banksia Foundation. The research uncovers the reasons why small businesses sometimes hold back from integrating sustainability into their everyday business.

It highlights the barriers and drivers to sustainability, along with the key characteristics of small businesses that are leaders in sustainability and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

It also provides business and government insights into opportunities to help small business transition towards a sustainable future.