Sustainability

What is sustainability?

Use the websites below to understand the meaning of the word sustainability, the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and different views and opinions on the topic.

Britannica School Secondary

Britannica School is part of EPIC, a collection of reliable databases covering lots of different topics. It has been especially put together for New Zealand school students. This database will help answer questions like this. You may need a password to log in to EPIC.

• Search using the keyword 'sustainability'.

• Select Sustainability from the results to read an explanation about sustainability and its forms.

• There are also other articles in the results that mention sustainability, eg Forestry.

Opposing Viewpoints (Gale in Context)

This EPIC resource presents viewpoints on lots of different issues.

• Go to Browse Issues to find the topic page about Sustainability.

• Read the sections on viewpoints, news, articles, videos and more.

• At the end of the page is a section on Related topics, where you will find topics like Conservation and Renewable energy.

Tips: To get to the EPIC resources you will need a password from your school librarian first. Or you can chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians between 1 and 6pm Monday to Friday and they will help you online. Some EPIC databases may also be available through your public library.

United Nations — Sustainable Development Goals

Global sustainability is seen as a very important issue. The United Nations have developed strategies and guidelines for achieving sustainability.

• Explore the site using the tabs at the top of the screen.

• Go down the page to find the 17 goals.

• Select goals like Affordable and clean energy and Sustainable cities and communities to see how sustainability is being achieved.

Tips: Websites that have .org or .net in the address can have good information, but you need to assess how reliable it is. Check the About page, if you can find one. That can tell you what the organisation's mission and values are.

Energy

A lot of research is being done on the use of sustainable and renewable energy. Use the websites below to find the meaning of sustainable energy and renewable energy, their sources and benefits.

Energy Education

The words 'renewable' and 'sustainable' are often used interchangeably, however, they have different meanings.

• Search for 'sustainable energy' to be directed to a page about the difference between Renewable and sustainable energy.

• Or explore other pages for information about different types of energy.

Tips: Some websites have .au, .nz, .uk or other codes in their url. This can tell you which country this website comes from eg .au is from Australia or .nz is from New Zealand. This website has .ca which means it's from Canada. You can check the About us link on this website to see it was created in conjunction with the University of Calgary, and so should have reliable information!

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)

The main focus of this government organisation is on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources in New Zealand.

• From the home page, select Focus areas to read about the government's efforts towards sustainable energy and the use of renewable energy options.

• Go to Insights to select Energy in New Zealand.

• Then choose Renewable energy.

• This page has information on renewable energy sources in New Zealand, such as solar and biomass energy.

Tips: We like sites like this because they're reliable. You can tell because of their web address - they have either .govt or .ac, meaning they are from government or educational organisations. They're also New Zealand sites, so relevant for us.

Environmental Studies (Gale in context)

This is one of the EPIC resources and has lots of information about energy and sustainability around the world.

• Go to Browse Issues to find topics listed alphabetically.

• Read Renewable Energy to find case studies, articles, videos and images.

• Then look under 'S' to find Sustainability, and other related topics such as Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Cities and more.

• You can also use keywords like 'geothermal energy' to find specific information.

Tips: To get to the EPIC resources you may need a password from your school librarian, or you can chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians between 1 and 6pm Monday to Friday. Some EPIC databases may be available through your public library.

Explain That Stuff

This site has information about different types of sustainable energy.

• Use the search bar and search for the type of power you're interested in, for example, wind power or solar power.

• You can also use the A-Z index to look at Electricity, and scroll down to the Making Electricity section.

Tips: Some websites, like Explain That Stuff, have advertisements (or ads) which ask us to buy something or tell us to ‘click here’. It’s best to ignore these ads and focus on the information we’re looking for. You'll see ads in the results of your search at the top of the box. Just skip past those to find results from the Explain That Stuff website.

Technology and industry

While applying sustainable methods to business and technology may prove to be costly and time-consuming, the development of sustainability in one industry could go on to benefit multiple industries.

Science Learning Hub

This website is especially for New Zealand school students and teachers and is put together by several government organisations working together. You can find out more about the site by reading the About section at the bottom of the page.

• Look under Topics to find the page on Sustainability, which has articles and videos.

• You can also use keywords to search for articles on particular topics.

• We searched for sustainable farming and found this article about how farming in New Zealand has changed.

• At the bottom of this page, you can find information about how the Resource Management Act 1991 encourages farmers to take on more sustainable practices.

Manaaki Whenua | Landcare Research

This is one of New Zealand's Crown Research Institutes (CRIs). These companies are owned by the New Zealand Government and aim to use science for the benefit of New Zealanders and our environment.

• Look under the Partner with us section to find Our Science portfolios.

• Select Managing land and water to read about its sustainable use.

• Look under Our Capabilities to read Science & mātauranga Māori.

• It explains Landcare Research working alongside Māori to achieve sustainable resource management.

Tips: In July 2025, AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, and Scion were brought into one organisation called the 'Bioeconomy Science Institute'. These websites may have some ongoing changes.

Scion

Scion is a Crown Research Institute, a government enterprise, that focuses on forestry and wood products.

• Look under the Science section to find Sustainable forest & land management and Bioproducts for sustainable industries.

Plant & Food Research

This Crown Research Institute works to improve the production and sustainability of plant crops (including fruit and vegetables) and other food products.

• Look under the Research section to find out about Sustainable, resilient food supply.

• Under Working Together, read the section on Partnering with Māori.

• It includes information on the use of mātauranga Māori ( Māori knowledge) to develop the best food systems.

Tips: Websites that have .com or .co in the address can have good information, but you need to assess how reliable it is. Check the About us page, if you can find one. That can tell you what the organisation's mission and values are.

Biological

Under the broader concept of sustainability, biological sustainability and biodiversity are seen as increasingly important.

Global Issues (Gale in Context)

This EPIC resource includes many topics that are currently important global issues.

• Try searching using keywords like deforestation.

• Go to Browse Issues to find sections on Biodiversity, Overfishing, and Global Environmental Issues.

Tips: To get to the EPIC resources you may need a password from your school librarian, or you can chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians between 1 and 6pm Monday to Friday. Some EPIC databases may be available through your public library.

Department Of Conservation (DOC)

This government department is responsible for preserving the natural and historical sites of New Zealand.

• Look under the Nature section to find a page about Biodiversity.

• Explore the other parts of the Nature section for information about efforts to conserve and protect native plants and animals.

Tips: We like sites like this because they're reliable. You can tell because of their web address - they have either .govt or .ac, meaning they are from government or educational organisations. They're also New Zealand sites, so relevant for us.

World Wildlife Fund (New Zealand)

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is an organisation that works to protect and preserve the natural world.

• Look under What we do to find information about their projects, including Looking after our ocean and Looking after species.

• The section on Resources has a list of recommended resources about sustainability and the environment.

Tips: The official website of a person, business, or organisation is the best place to find out information about them and the work they do. The WWF is a well-known, trusted organisation, so we can find great information or links on their site. Still, be sure to check the information you find against other sources, and check the About Us page on websites their links send you to.

Manaaki Whenua | Landcare Research

This Crown Research Institute does research relating to biodiversity, ecosystems and sustainable use of natural resources.

• Check under Discover our research and Managing invasive species to find Animal pest management.

Sustainability at home

People can put a lot of time and money into building or renovating their houses to make them more sustainable. The websites below suggest small but important changes we can make in our homes and schools that don't cost much, and can even save money.

Gen Less

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority set up this website to help New Zealanders live more sustainably.

• Check the For everyone and At home section for lots of information about how to make homes more energy efficient.

• There is also a section explaining Energy Rating Labels on home appliances.

Wellington City Council

Wellington is one of many cities that has a goal of developing the city with sustainability in mind.

• Use the menu on the top right corner to find Climate change, sustainable living and environment.

• Then choose Sustainable living.

• This has information about sustainable homes and buildings, low carbon transport, Wellington's sustainable food initiative and more.

Tips: Many web pages have links to further information or to other recommended sites. Following these links is a great way to find out more.

Books

There are some great books on sustainability. Check out your local public or school library to see what they have.

Some recommended titles are:

• There is no planet B: a handbook for the make or break years by Mike Berners-Lee.

• Sustainability made simple: small changes for big impact by Rosaly Byrd and Laurèn DeMates.

• Adapt: how humans are tapping into nature's secrets to design and build a better future by Amina Khan.

• A world of three zeros: the new economics of zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions by Muhammad Yunus and Karl Weber.

• Climate action: the future is in our hands by Georgina Stevens.

SCIS no: 1915705