Sustainability

Governance

Sustainability Committee

The Sustainability Committee works to embed sustainability into the governance structure and strategic planning process to set a standard and show leadership commitment across RMIT.

Sustainability Policy

The Sustainability Policy models institution-wide excellence in integrating sustainability into all activities. It aims to make RMIT a living laboratory, encouraging research that engages with internal infrastructure, process and people.

Sustainability Annual Report

The report highlights a year of dedication and innovation in sustainability from our students and staff. It reflects our commitment to being a sustainable organisation and shows the impact that our teaching and learning, research and operations has on society and the environment. 

View the 2017 Sustainability Annual Report.

Responsible Investment

Responsible Investment Principles have been developed to strengthening our ethical approach to the investment of our philanthropic funds. 

Commitments and targets

Australian Technology Network (ATN)

The ATN commitment is to make sustainability a focus in RMIT’s teaching and learning programs, research, infrastructure and operations.

RMIT Carbon Neutral by 2030

RMIT has committed to reduce its building emissions to a net zero position by 2030. As a minimum, half of the emissions reductions required to meet this commitment are to come from on-site initiatives, with the remaining emissions reductions to be sourced from offsetting activities.

This commitment builds on the previous emissions reduction target to reduce RMIT’s emissions by 25% by 2020, this target was achieved four years ahead of schedule. We achieved this target four years early through practical actions, including the Sustainable Urban Precincts Program (SUPP) 

Emissions Offsetting Commitment

The Melbourne Renewable Energy Project is an Australian first, bringing together a group of local governments, cultural institutions, universities and corporations collectively purchasing renewable energy from a newly built facility. Crowlands Windfarm is an 80MW wind farm, consisting of 39 turbines located 20 kilometres north-east of Ararat. From 2019 onwards 25% of RMIT’s electricity will be supplied by this wind farm, replacing the University's previous offset commitments.  

Fair Trade

In 2009, RMIT University was jointly named with Macquarie University as the first Fair Trade University in Australia by Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand (Fairtrade ANZ).

Sustainable Development Goals 

RMIT has committed to the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These goals are aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and prosperity for all. We have made this commitment through the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), who support the integration of economic, social and environmental outcomes into organisational culture.

TAKE2 Founding Partner 

RMIT has committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with Sustainability Victoria’s Take2 campaign.

Talloires Declaration

RMIT became a signatory to the Talloires Declaration in 1995, a document containing the signatures of higher education institution leaders, pledging that their respective institution will become world leaders in developing, supporting and maintaining sustainability.

United Nations Global Compact

RMIT is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact (signed in 2003) and a member of the Global Compact Network Australia. The ten principles laid out within this agreement greatly influence RMIT’s values and objectives both in regards to sustainability and the institution as a whole.

Partnerships

Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS)

RMIT is a member of ACTS a forum which aspires to inspire, promote and support change towards best practice sustainability within the operations, curriculum and research of the Australasian tertiary education sector.

Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)

RMIT is a member of the GBCA to support and drive the adoption of green building practices in the property industry. We currently have six buildings rated under the Green Star system and are finalising a submission under the Interiors Pilot Tool for our New Academic Street Project. 

1200 Buildings

RMIT participates in the City of Melbourne's 1200 Buildings Program which aims to reduce energy, water and carbon emissions through the retrofit of commercial buildings.