Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a remarkable and unique common platform where organisation, civil society and government representatives can contribute and collaborate to tackle the biggest challenges our society faces.
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; and promoting partnerships.
RMIT's Pledge
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.
SDGs Related News
State of Play: Circularity in the built environment
Professor Usha Iyer-Raniga is part of the SBC group working on regional reports to understand the state of play of circularity in the built environment sector.
Graduate Student and Early Career SDGs online Workshop
The RMIT EU Centre has announced a new workshop for graduate students and early career researchers aimed at making sense of the emerging place of the SDGs.
SDG 17 – Seminar Series
The European Union Centre at RMIT continues its 2020 program with an exploration of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Accelerating Education for the SDGs in Universities
The RMIT SDGs Project is one of the case studies included in the Accelerating Education for the SDGs in Universities new guide from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
Affordable Circular Housing Webinar
Join RMIT's Professor Usha Iyer-Raniga and Dr Mittul Vahnavati at this event which will focus on circularity in the housing sector in relation to material use, design considerations, technology and affordability.
SDG Measurement and Disclosure 2.0: A study of ASX150 companies
A new report from RMIT University and the United Nations Association of Australia has revealed a rising trend in reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals by Australia’s top 150 companies, but the quality of disclosure remains lacking.
Sustainability Annual Report 2019
RMIT is proud to release its Sustainability Annual Report 2019. This report highlights our commitments to being a sustainable organisation and incorporates the SDGs as part of our sustainability reporting process.
Entrepreneurship Week rolling in
Entrepreneurship Week (E-Week) invites the RMIT community to celebrate entrepreneurship and innovation. This year, it aims to innovate solutions through a circular economy lens for a more sustainable Victoria.
RMIT EU Centre presents SDGS work being undertaken by members and associates of the European Union-funded Jean Monnet Network
This edition of the PIMA Bulletin is guest-edited by researchers at RMIT University, Australia, and presents a snapshot of work being undertaken by members and associates of the European Union-funded Jean Monnet Network, which is based in the European Union Centre of Excellence at RMIT University.
SDG 15 - Seminar Series
The European Union Centre at RMIT continues its 2020 program with a seminar exploring the Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
The Sustainable Development Goals and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Sebastian Cordoba, Lecturer and industry fellow at RMIT's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, has published a report in partnership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
RMIT at the High-Level Political Forum 2020
Roberto (Robbie) Guevara, Associate Professor in International Development at RMIT's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, is moderating an interesting side event at the High-Level Political Forum 2020 on Global Citizenship Education on 14 July 2020.
Operationalising SDG 16
Dr Charles T. Hunt (Social and Global Studies Centre) was lead author on recently launched government Field Handbook entitled ‘From Principle to Practice: Protecting Civilians in Violent Contexts’ in partnership with the Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG) on behalf of the Australian Federal Government’s Australian Civil-Military Centre (ACMC).
SDG 13 - Seminar Series
The European Union Centre at RMIT continues its 2020 program with an exploration of Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action.
Moving from the Millennium to the Sustainable Development Goals
The recent book “Moving from the Millennium to the Sustainable Development Goals” edited by A/Prof Sefa Awaworyi Churchill (School of Economics, Finance and Marketing) evaluates the factors that contributed to the success or failure of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the SDGs.
The role of the built environment sector in tackling the SDGs
A presentation by RMIT Emeritus Professor Colin Fudge on the development of a Transformational Plan for the Global Built Environment Sector.
RMIT is number one in the world for SDG 10
RMIT has been ranked number one in the world for its efforts to reduce inequality within and among countries in the Times Higher Education (THE) SDGs Impact Rankings released today. RMIT also ranked 10th overall, rocketing up from 82nd place in 2019.
SDG 12 – Seminar Series
The European Union Centre at RMIT continues its 2020 program with an exploration of Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Sustainability and Circularity Workshop
RMIT and the Sustainability Supply Chain School hosted a workshop on circular economy at RMIT University on Tuesday 25 February 2020. The workshop looked at strategy, models and funding to support and help industry better engage with and benefit from circular economy.
RMIT co-leading a Workshop on SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities during the UN & Australia Sustainable Partnership Forum
RMIT is a partner of the 2020 UN & Australia Sustainable Partnerships Forum. The forum will bring together organisations and individuals across business, civil society, academia and government who are leading in building and supporting sustainable partnerships to progress the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Policy Dialogue: Implementing the UN Global Agenda
You are invited to join partners from Australia (EU Centre at RMIT and Australian National University), Scotland (University of Glasgow) and New Zealand (NCRE University of Canterbury) in a Policy Dialogue to explore ways of supporting collaboration and cohesive approaches to the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, as articulated in the 17 SDGs.
From Ballarat to Bangkok: How can cross-sectorial partnerships around the Sustainable Development Goals accelerate urban liveability?
A new article published in the Cities and Health Journal explores the question, “How and in what way can the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda be invoked in urban projects in order to deliver liveability and sustainability beyond ‘business-as-usual?”
SDG 11 – Seminar Series
The European Union Centre at RMIT is hosting an SDG 11 seminar on 25th February 2020. This seminar focusses on SDG 11 and offers an opportunity to explore the intent of the goal, its targets, and some of the initiatives being undertaken to deliver on the targets.
Examining university engagement with the SDG agenda panel
We invite you to join us at the Examining university engagement with the SDG agenda session.
SDGs Workshop
RMIT hosted a SDGs workshop with internal stakeholders to further discuss priorities and actions to promote and coordinate SDGs activities across the university to maximise SDGs influence and impact. This workshop aimed to deliver on RMIT’s public commitments to the global sustainable development agenda.
SDG 10 Reduce inequality within and among countries - Seminar Series
The European Union Centre at RMIT is hosting a SDG 10 seminar on 26 November 2019.
SDG Measurement and Disclosure By ASX150 - Research Report
This research report, which is a collaboration between RMIT and the Global Compact Network Australia, provides an analysis on how the SDGs are measured and disclosed in their annual and/or sustainability reports by the top 150 Australian public-listed companies (ASX150).
Operationalising your SDG Research - Workshop
The Jean Monnet Sustainable Development Goals Network is presenting a series of workshops for graduate students and early career researchers (broadly defined) aimed at making sense of the emerging place of the SDGs in universities.
SDGs Dialogue Series: Goal 9
The European Union Centre at RMIT is hosting a SDG 9 seminar on 29 October 2019.
DisruptED 2019: Learning & Teaching Conference
RMIT hosted two panel discussions at DisruptED 2019 Learning & Teaching Conference that explored employability skills and the future of leaning and teaching.
Victorian Government’s circular economy discussion paper
RMIT University sustainability experts comment on Victorian Government’s circular economy discussion paper.
Event: SDGs Dialogue Series
Be inspired by leaders across RMIT who are making progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth - Seminar Series
The European Union Centre at RMIT is hosting a SDG 8 seminar on 24 August 2019.
Panel discussion - Building synergies across the SDGs
Experts from RMIT University will lead a panel discussion on innovation for sustainability in waste, food and cities. The event will take place as part of the European Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production (ERSCP 2019) in October in Barcelona.
Melbourne Global Goals Jam 2019
This year RMIT Sustainability, RMIT Activator, DesignThinkers Group Australia, Yarra Riverkeeper and Banksia Foundation are collaborating to deliver the Melbourne Global Goals Jam.
RMIT SDGs study tour in Barcelona
Students on an RMIT Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) study tour in Barcelona have developed strategies to tackle urban heat – a growing challenge for cities around the world as urban populations increase.
Measuring Impact: How business accelerates the SDGs
The GCNA and RMIT are hosting a roundtable discussion on the SDGs - the various reporting trends and frameworks, the results of research into how the top ASX150 are reporting on the SDGs, how business can track and measure progress against the SDGs and hear from sectoral leaders on the SDGs.
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy - Seminar Series
The European Union Centre at RMIT is hosting a SDG 7 seminar on 27 August 2019.
Pedagogy in the Pub: Race and racism, the SDGs and the 'global learning crisis' with Arathi Sriprakash - event series
At this session of Pedagogy at the Pub, we consider how matters of race and racism have been treated within the SDGs, focusing on education and the ‘global learning crisis’.
SDGs Public lecture by Professor Ben Cashore (Yale/NUS)
Public lecture by Professor Ben Cashore (Yale/NUS) titled "Overcoming the Tragedy of the Good Governance Norm Complex: Towards Effective Implementation of the Global Sustainable Development Agenda."
SDG@RMIT Transformation Platform
A new report explores ways of deepening and leveraging RMIT's engagement with SDGs.
Achieving the SDGs: Evaluating indicators to be used to benchmark and monitor progress towards creating healthy and sustainable cities.
A new journal article examines the extent to which the UN indicators will help cities evaluate their efforts to deliver sustainability and health outcomes
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation - Seminar Series
The European Union Centre at RMIT is hosting a SDG 6 seminar on 30 July 2019.
One Planet Network
RMIT Co-Leads the UN One Planet Network Sustainable Buildings and Construction Programme.
RMIT is partnering with the Australian Association of Social Workers for an SDGs focused placement
RMIT is partnering with the Australian Association of Social Workers to undertake a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Work Integrated Learning placement opportunity.
Pedagogy in the Pub: Young People, Education and the Arts of Living in the Anthropocene with Aviva Ree
"Pedagogy in the Pub" is a series of discussions where invited speakers critically engage with the SDGs. The June speaker will be interdisciplinary visual ecologist, Aviva Reed.
SDG 5 Gender Equality - Seminar Series
This EU Centre seminar series focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
SDGs project funded under the 2019 Capability Development Fund
"A round table on developing an innovative performance measurement and reporting framework for UN sustainable development goals (SDGs)", led by Prof. Nava Subramaniam, is one of the thirteen projects funded under the 2019 Capability Development Fund (CDF) scheme.
Implementing the UN SDGs in Universities
A new article points out the crucial role the education sector can play to support, promote and contribute to achieving all of the 17 United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Measuring University SDGs impact
A new article of Angel Calderon discusses the University Impact Rankings 2019 published by Times Higher Education to measure the extent to which universities are working towards fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Assessing the evolution of Victoria's environmental portfolio
A new report of Dr Brian Coffey contributes to a better understanding of Victoria’s environment portfolio, how it has evolved, and how it might be improved.
RMIT Green Impact Engagement Program
As RMIT's Sustainability Week draws to a close, join the RMIT Sustainability Team to officially kick-off Green Impact for 2019.
Supporting the implementation of SDG 11 and New Urban Agenda
RMIT is one of the partner universities sharing its contributions to the SDGs and supporting the implementation of SDG 11 and New Urban Agenda (NUA).
Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals from the Ground Up
You are invited to attend 'Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the Ground Up', a lecture and interactive sharing on SDGs activities by RMIT champions.
GGEC19 Global Gender Economics Conference
The second Global Gender Economics Conference (GGEC19) combines both Industry and Academic perspectives on Gender Economics. The theme of this year's conference is Resilience and Sustainability.
Understanding Child Labour in Agriculture
The Australian APEC Study Centre at RMIT University is hosting a workshop on Understanding Child Labour in Agriculture on 8th – 9th April 2019. The workshop will be held at RMIT’s Melbourne Campus in the heart of the Melbourne CBD.
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
