An online school aimed at increasing sustainability knowledge and competency across the building and construction supply chain was launched on 2 March by some of Australia’s industry heavy weights.

‘Supply Chain Sustainability School’ is an online self-assessment tool for businesses that will use e-learning modules and a resource library to address the topics of waste, water, carbon and energy, environmental management and climate adaptation from a sustainability standpoint.

The Australia-wide program is being launched by eight founding partners – John Holland, Mirvac, Stockland, Downer Tenix, McConnell Dowell, Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia, DuluxGroup and Laing O’Rourke – with additional funding and support provided by NSW Government, Sustainability Victoria and Construction Skills Queensland.

John Holland’s Group Manager for Sustainability and Co-Chair for the School, Renuka Sabaratnam says that the tool will address the growing expectation that Australian construction and infrastructure projects should be built in a sustainable manner and in line with international best practice.

“The Supply Chain Sustainability School has been set up in Australia to provide training and other resources to ensure the broader supply chain has a common understanding of best industry practice,” says Sabaratnam.

Mirvac’s Roderick Petre, who is Co-Chair for the School, also has a belief in the tool to deliver an understanding of what constitutes best practice across the supply chain and says that Mirvac would be encouraging their own supply chains to engage with the School.

“As well as addressing some obvious knowledge gaps, the School offers a unique and innovative way for the construction and infrastructure industry to work collaboratively to educate our contractors and suppliers, and to enhance the efficiency of the supply chain,” he said.

The online school is now live and can be viewed at the website here: