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The QESSI plan aims for a holistic approach, incorporating not only programs/activities that are currently in place in school communities but also including management aspects, building partnerships and capacity of all involved and implementing and supporting new projects/activities. 

There are 8 goals that define how this plan will work, they are as follows:

1. Encouraging Schools as learning organisations for sustainability: schools are designed and used in action learning processes, partnerships are formed, and schools embrace approaches to support environmental education for sustainability.

2. Promote dynamic curricula process and extra-curricula activities: school curriculum frameworks, as well as school and community activities and projects, promote education for sustainability, and reflect real-life learning.

3. Empowering ourselves and others to make the necessary changes: actions and programs are initiated that support attitudinal and behavioural change, including identifying role models, mentors and champions, and acknowledging innovation and leadership.

4. Encouraging and supporting skilled, committed and aware school staff.  Professional support and training related to sustainability is provided to classroom teachers, administrators and other staff, and is built into teacher training at university.

 5. Creating school facilities that demonstrate and support sustainability. New schools, and facilities are constructed, and existing schools are retro-fitted, based on ecological sustainable development ESD, including school grounds, and operating regimes eg. Water, energy, waste.

6. Implementing sustainable management systems in schools:  a school environmental management plan
(SEMP) is created for each participating school, including a reporting and review process, with support for key staff who are involved.

7. Improving school resource management,
including water, waste, energy, transport and schools grounds. Schools are focused on reducing
their ecological footprint in terms of key resource use, transport options, and improving school grounds, where possible, for biodiversity.

 8. Encourage interlinked school and local community partnerships: productive sustainability-based
partnerships between schools and their communities are established, including learning opportunities related to sustainability programs and projects.

The many stakeholders and partners will support these goals in a range of  ways including but not restricted to support with resourcing, education, assistance and training.

QESSI will strive to develop and support programs and actions in schools related to our interlinked goals, in the following key outcome areas:

Environmental - related to energy, water, biodiversity, resource use and waste

Social/cultural   - related to sense of place, community, equity, culture and well-being

Economic   - related to prosperity, meaningful work and careers, products and services

Governance  - related to ethics, stewardship, accountability, local autonomy, participation

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