Five ways CoPs can help drive your administration's sustainability efforts.

As global trade expands, customs administrations face an increasing challenge of protecting the environment. Communities of Practice (CoP) can be a cost-effective way of not only helping drive corporate sustainability efforts but also providing important and long-lasting benefits for CoP members. 

Here are five ways CoPs can help customs administrations with their sustainability efforts. 

1. CoPs harness the personal passion and diverse skillsets of individuals across all levels of an organisation. 

Preliminary insights from CCES’s Building Sustainable Customs Administrations launched in June 2025 reveal that environmental sustainability is a deeply rooted personal value for the majority (87%) of participants. CoPs serve as inclusive spaces where those with subject-matter expertise collaborate alongside peers who are eager to deepen their knowledge—bridging experience with curiosity and fostering collective growth. 

2. CoPs prioritise what matters.

Stephen Covey’s insight rings true: “Don’t prioritise your schedule—schedule your priorities.” If sustainability is a strategic goal for customs administrations and national governments, CoPs ensure it receives the time, leadership, and resourcing it deserves. Members connect operational realities with research, data, and case studies to solve genuine environmental challenges—not just talk about them. 

3. CoPs create a safe space for dialogue. 

CoPs offer safe, non-hierarchical spaces for honest exchange. Members come from varied backgrounds and organisational contexts—with differing priorities, capabilities, and resource levels. Rather than waiting for top-down solutions, they co-create practical responses, share frontline perspectives, and spot patterns in recurring issues. There are no mandates—just meaningful learning and voluntary uptake. 

4. CoPs don’t need to look outside for all the answers—they look around.

Customs officers carry a wealth of experience shaped by real-world complexities. CoPs unlock this institutional wisdom. Instead of constantly seeking external solutions, members explore what already exists within their networks—empowering local innovation and strengthening professional resilience. 

5. CoPs nurture meaningful action.

Sustainability isn't just a policy—it’s a practice. CoPs help members translate ideas into action. They provide a supportive space to explore environmental initiatives—diagnosing problems, prototyping solutions, testing interventions, and scaling impact across divisions, teams, or entire organisations. 

The Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES) is currently seeking EOIs from customs officers interested in joining its Greening Customs Community of Practice commencing later this year. For more information or to register your interest contact customs@csu.edu.au

Brooke Anderson is the Community, Sustainability & Impact Lead at CCES. She is an experienced management consultant and has completed B Consultant training with B Lab Australia and New Zealand, the global not-for-profit responsible for B Corp Certification.