The Sustainability Policy Unit identified a number of priority issues requiring research to determine how they were being addressed within Australia and overseas, and what this could mean for Western Australia.

Postgraduate research students, some academics and others prepared background papers by reviewing the relevant literature and meeting with key experts in Western Australia. In many cases this work will contribute to Honours, Masters and PhD theses.

Please note that the Western Australian Government is not responsible for the content or reliability of the background papers and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed therein.

In the period between the draft and final Strategies a series of further background papers were produced - some by the Sustainability Policy Unit. These are all listed below.

For the consideration of ethics, spirituality and sustainability, a group of people were invited to contribute their views. Thirteen people or groups responded and these are listed separately. Click here for ethics background papers.

Aitken, L. Towards a Sustainable Procurement Strategy August 2002

Armstrong, R. Developing a Strategy for Regional Sustainability in the State of Western Australia August 2002

Armstrong, R. Sustainable Community Regeneration: Issues and Opportunities August 2002

Bell, S. & Bennett, D. Regional Benefits of an Integrated Oil Mallee Processing Plant August 2002

Bennett, D. Is there an economic benefit to planting trees by saving downstream assets? August 2002

Beyer, D. Sustainable Building and Construction: Initiatives and Regulatory Options towards a Sustainable Planning, Building, Design and Construction Sector in Western Australia August 2002

Buselich, K. An Outline of Current Thinking on Sustainability Assessment August 2002

Chambers, L. Sustainable Transport August 2002

Cohen, H., Douglas, C. & Thomas, T. Health and Sustainability August 2002

Garrity, L. The Hydrogen Economy August 2002

Hawkes, A. Evolution Towards a Sustainable Transport Energy Source August 2002

Hobbs, B. Towards a Strategic Action Agenda for Science and Innovation in WA March 2003

Hogg, C. State Based Carbon Emissions Trading Mechanism: Issues and Recommendations August 2002

Jenkins, B. Regional Sustainability Strategies 2003

Kinnane, S. Beyond The Boundaries: Exploring Indigenous Sustainability Issues August 2002

Newman, P. Sustainability and Housing: More than a Roof Over Head 2003

Newman, P. Western Australia's Sustainability Strategy and the Hydrogen Future May 2003

Newman, P. and Kinnel, B Response to Industry Submissions on Sustainability Concept 2003

Pepper, C. Sustainability of Cultural Heritage and Landscapes August 2002

Pepper, C. Sustainability of Tourism and Ecotourism August 2002

Pope, J. Sustainability Assessment Working Group Outcomes 2003

Rhodes, A. The Heart of Sustainability: An Encore for the Arts and Culture August 2002

Robinson, B. Global Oil Vulnerability and the Australian Situation August 2002

Stanton-Hicks, E. The Move Towards Sustainability by the Western Australian Minerals Sector and the Role of State Government in the Process August 2002

Stoll, K. Youth and Sustainability: Social Capital, Social Entrepreneurship and Youth Civic Engagement as Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities - A Case Study of the Headquarters Youth Facility August 2002

Verstegen, P. Capacity Building and Resource Exchange Kwinana Industries - A Western Australian Contribution to Industrial Ecology: Examining Mechanisms for Sustainable Industrial Development 2003

Verstegen, P. Sustainability and Biodiversity Conservation: Opportunities and Challenges for Western Australia August 2002

Waller, S. Story-telling and Community Visioning: Tools for Sustainability September 2003

Waller, S. 'Walking the Walk': Workplace Sustainability Policy, Program and Actions Within the State Government of Western Australia August 2002

Wooltorton, S. Education for Sustainability August 2002