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.

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RMIT-wide SDGs project

RMIT, represented by its Sustainability Committee, is currently undertaking an ambitious and innovative project to raise awareness of the SDGS across the academic areas of the University and demonstrating our capabilities in partnering with industry, government and community to achieve them.

The RMIT-wide SDGs Project, initiated in June 2018, aims to improve University accountability in relation to its contributions to the SDGs. To do so, an innovative approach has been undertaken to map, measure and communicate our contributions to the SDGs. This will be reported annually through our website and sustainability report.

The project supports the efforts that educational institutions are making to deliver the goals, demonstrate their impact and support the sustainable development agenda internationally and nationally.

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

Our commitment

To express our commitment to transform RMIT into an organisation that models institution-wide excellence in response to local, national and international calls for education to play an influential role in helping shape a sustainable future, we made a publicly commitment through the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). The RMIT Commitment to the SDGs can be viewed here.

We are part of the SDSN Australian/Pacific initiative to engage universities to support and contribute to the SDGs and agreed to:

Support and promote the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Undertake research that provides solutions to sustainable development challenges.
Provide the educational opportunity for our students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
Contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by ensuring our campuses and major programs are environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.
Report on our activities in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.

We recognise the enormous challenges the world faces to build a sustainable future, as well as the importance of the SDGs in driving change and channelling efforts and resources to construct a more sustainable planet.

SDGs Related News

Operationalising SDG 16

12 Jun 20

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

25 May 20

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

11 May 20

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

03 May 20

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

23 Apr 20

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

08 Apr 20

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

31 Mar 20

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

10 Mar 20

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

17 Feb 20

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?

07 Feb 20

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

30 Jan 20

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

20 Jan 20

We invite you to join us at the Examining university engagement with the SDG agenda session.

SDGs Workshop

18 Dec 19

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

20 Nov 19

The European Union Centre at RMIT is hosting a SDG 10 seminar on 26 November 2019.

SDG Measurement and Disclosure By ASX150 - Research Report

14 Nov 19

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

06 Nov 19

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

16 Oct 19

The European Union Centre at RMIT is hosting a SDG 9 seminar on 29 October 2019.

DisruptED 2019: Learning & Teaching Conference

11 Oct 19

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

03 Oct 19

RMIT University sustainability experts comment on Victorian Government’s circular economy discussion paper.

Event: SDGs Dialogue Series

20 Sep 19

Be inspired by leaders across RMIT who are making progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth - Seminar Series

13 Sep 19

The European Union Centre at RMIT is hosting a SDG 8 seminar on 24 August 2019.

Panel discussion - Building synergies across the SDGs

09 Sep 19

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

05 Sep 19

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

27 Aug 19

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

16 Aug 19

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

14 Aug 19

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

07 Aug 19

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)

25 Jul 19

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

18 Jul 19

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.

12 Jul 19

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

08 Jul 19

The European Union Centre at RMIT is hosting a SDG 6 seminar on 30 July 2019.

One Planet Network

01 Jul 19

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

20 Jun 19

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

28 May 19

"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

14 May 19

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

07 May 19

"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.

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