A better, more sustainable world
Sustainability is at the heart of the Global Footprints Scholarship program.
Their time with us gives our scholars the skills, networks and opportunities to gain a global perspective and use their passion for social, environmental and economic change.
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability means so much more than preserving the natural environment.
It means fulfilling the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.
The United Nations have created a global roadmap to sustainability - the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), which include No Poverty, Gender Equality, Decent Work alongside front of mind goals like Climate Action.
Through the global goals each and all of us can contribute to a better, more sustainable world, and our Global Footprints Scholars, each committed to one or more of these goals, do just that - with inspiring ideas, vision and skills.
Together for a Sustainable Future
Since 2001, Global Footprints and UN Youth Australia have worked together to help our scholars find their purpose, choose which Global Goals are most important to them, and explore how they can use their scholarship and their careers to create positive change.
Read more about the Global Goals that BBM, the organisation behind Global Footprints, has chosen for itself.
Find out which Global Goals each of our current scholars has chosen to work towards,
Offsetting Carbon, Empowering Communities:
BBM’s 2024–25 Climate Commitment
BBM is proud to offset the carbon emissions generated by staff and Global Footprints Scholar travel in the 2024–25 financial year through support for the April Salumei Rainforest Community Conservation Project in Papua New Guinea.
Located in the East Sepik Province, this extraordinary project protects over 603,000 hectares of biodiverse rainforest, home to rich traditional culture and endangered species. It is part of a Forest Management Area that was once under threat from logging concessions—but is now safeguarded through verified carbon finance.
Instead of short-term logging income, Indigenous landowners now receive financial benefits based on the carbon storage and ecosystem services their forests provide. This ensures long-term environmental preservation while supporting local livelihoods.
The project also delivers broader social benefits, helping improve community wellbeing through:
Sustainable agriculture
Education
Employment opportunities
Access to healthcare and infrastructure
It contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG 15 – Life on Land
SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
From 2025 onwards, BBM will invite each new cohort of Global Footprints Scholars to select the carbon project their travel emissions will support—equipping them to think critically and act responsibly on global challenges.
Carbon credits retired on behalf of BBM Ltd for the travel emissions generated by staff and the Global Footprints Scholars graduating in FYE 2024–25.