Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a common platform where organisation, civil society and government representatives can contribute to solving the world’s biggest sustainable development challenges.

The SDGs were agreed by all countries at the United Nations in September 2015 and came into effect in January 2016. The 17 goals, 169 targets and 232 indicators are part of a broad agenda that provides a set of clear measurable targets to improve sustainability performance globally. These goals were developed based on the pillars of:

  • protecting our natural resources and climate for future generations
  • ensuring dignity, equality and prosperity
  • fostering peace and inclusive societies
  • promoting partnerships.

RMIT's SDG journey

The education sector has a vital role to play in addressing the critical global sustainable challenges. RMIT recognises the important role the education sector can play in promoting, supporting and contributing to the SDGs agenda. To express our commitment to transform RMIT into an organisation that models institution-wide excellence in response to calls for education to play an influential role in shaping a sustainable future, we made a public commitment in 2017 through the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to support, promote and contribute to the SDGs.

As the governing body responsible for sustainability at the University, the RMIT Sustainability Committee ensures RMIT delivers on our commitment to the objectives of the SDGs, through supporting and encouraging collaboration, innovation and engagement across the RMIT community. To ensure the ongoing priority of the SDGs across the University, RMIT’s Sustainability Committee reports directly to the Vice Chancellor's Executive (VCE) . As part of this, in 2018 RMIT employed a dedicated Sustainable Development Advisor to oversee an institution-wide approach to maximise RMIT's contribution to the SDGs and improve accountability and collaboration. In 2019 the Vice-ChanceIlor's Executive agreed to demonstrate global leadership by embedding the SDGs into relevant organisational strategies, plans, policies, processes and practices.

The current Knowledge with Action Strategy (to 2031) ensures the SDGs remain at the core of our organisational commitments.

RMIT’s Impact on the SDGs

Text And Media Video

Sustainable Development Goals

RMIT recognises the important role the education sector can play not only supporting the SDGs agenda, but actually promoting and contributing to the achievement of all 17 Goals.

We support, promote and contribute to the SDGS through:

  • Learning and Teaching - Equipping the next generation with skills, knowledge and understanding of sustainability challenges and opportunities.
  • Governance and Operations - Making sustainability an organisational priority, incorporating best practices of sustainability management into our business and regularly monitoring and reporting on our contributions to the SDGS.
  • Research - Progressing research that advances the sustainable development agenda.
  • Leadership - Use our expertise, leadership and capabilities to promote the SDGs and drive change to achieve them.

Select a goal to discover examples of our contributions to the SDGs:

sustainable development goal 1 icon no poverty
sustainable development goal 2 icon zero hunger
sustainable development goal 3 icon good health and wellbeing
sustainable development goal 4 icon quality education
sustainable development goal 5 icon gender equality
sustainable development goal 6 icon clean water and sanitation
sustainable development goal 7 icon affordable and clean energy
sustainable development goal 8 icon decent work and economic growth
sustainable development goal 9 icon industry, innovation and infrastructure
sustainable development goal 10 icon reduced inequalities
sustainable development goal 11 icon sustainable cities and communities
sustainable development goal 12 icon responsible consumption and production
sustainable development goal 3 icon climate action
sustainable development goal 14 icon life below water
sustainable development goal 15 icon life on land
sustainable development goal 16 logo
sustainable development goal 17 icon partnerships for the goals
sustainable development goals circle icon

Related news

nexen-partnership-award-image3-1220x732px.jpg

RMIT-Nexsen partnership celebrated with national award for advancing diagnostic innovation
Science
Icon / Small / CalendarCreated with Sketch. 25 May 2026

RMIT Distinguished Professor Vipul Bansal has been recognised with a national award for leading a long‑term partnership that is transforming how infections are diagnosed around the world.

teaching-forward-reflections-image2-1220x732px.jpg

RMIT's Teaching Forward Conference prepares the next generation of educators for longevity in their profession
Society and Environment
Icon / Small / CalendarCreated with Sketch. 21 May 2026

With teacher shortages a national priority, RMIT's School of Education and Media & Communication connected 300+ pre-service teachers with the networks and practical tools they need to thrive in the profession.

Platter of fast food. Image: Adobe Stock

Fast-food waste driven by wrong orders: study
Society and Environment
Icon / Small / CalendarCreated with Sketch. 20 May 2026

A review into food waste in Australia’s quick service restaurants has found order mistakes are the biggest driver of food waste, with better staff training a key part of the solution.

auspire-group-thumbnail.jpg

Australia-Spain research community gathers for the launch of the AuSpire postdoctoral network
Health
Icon / Small / CalendarCreated with Sketch. 19 May 2026

The Australia-Spain Network for Innovation and Research Excellence (AuSpire) unites international researchers conducting projects grounded in the concept of planetary wellbeing.

Load more +
sdg-contact-us.jpg

Get in touch

For more information or to discuss partnership and collaboration opportunities, email us at SDGs@rmit.edu.au.

For more information about RMIT’s sustainability commitments and activities visit www.rmit.edu.au/sustainability

Subscribe to the RMIT Sustainability Newsletter to keep up to date with the latest sustainability news, articles, events and research

Subscribe to the Sustainability Newsletter
aboriginal flag float-starttorres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures