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.

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.

Emissions Reduction Target
RMIT committed to a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 25 per cent by 2020 based on 2007 levels. We achieved this target four years early through practical actions, including the Sustainable Urban Precincts Program (SUPP) 

Emissions Offset Commitment
RMIT has made a commitment to offset 20 per cent of the University’s electricity profile through the purchase of carbon offsets.

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. 

Melbourne Renewable Energy Project 
RMIT joined forces with key Melbourne organisations in the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project to support the development of a new wind farm in Ararat, Victoria. In a first for Australia, the consortium combined their purchasing power to take the project to market. The group, led by the City of Melbourne, includes organisations such as Australia Post, National Australia Bank and Zoos Victoria. RMIT plans to purchase about 25 per cent of its electricity from the project, further reducing the emissions profile of the University. 

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.