Goal 13 - Climate Action

Goal 13 - Climate Action

RMIT is committed to taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, aligning with global efforts to drive meaningful change.

Our research projects focus on developing innovative solutions that enhance resilience and adaptation to climate challenges. By integrating these principles into research and teaching, RMIT contributes to impactful strategies that mitigate environmental impacts and promote sustainable practices.

Beyond research, RMIT actively implements climate action initiatives across its campuses, embracing renewable energy, waste reduction, and sustainable transport. These efforts showcase the university’s dedication to fostering a sustainable future and driving positive change within communities and industries globally.

Highlights of recent SDG 13 aligned activity are included below, with more information available in our 2024 Sustainability Annual Report (PDF 23 MB), with our 10 years of reporting progress outlined on the Sustainability Annual Report webpage.

Broader sustainability contributions are also highlighted in our organisational Annual Report, which are tabled in the Victorian Parliament.

2024 Case Studies

Expand all sections

The Centre for Urban Research (CUR) at RMIT University is at the forefront of climate action, driving research initiatives that focus on creating regenerative environments. CUR's work is dedicated to understanding and addressing the impacts of climate change on urban settings, emphasising resilience and sustainable adaptation.

The Regenerative Environments and Climate Action theme explores innovative strategies for urban transformation, focusing on renewable energy, sustainable urban planning, and ecosystem restoration. CUR engages in interdisciplinary research to develop solutions that enhance urban resilience to climate impacts.

Through partnerships with government, industry, and community stakeholders, CUR's projects contribute to advancing knowledge and practical applications for climate mitigation and adaptation. 

These efforts showcase RMIT's commitment to fostering sustainable urban environments and promoting positive climate action, reinforcing its role as a leader in environmental research and development.

A key 2024 initiative was the launch of a project on sustainable urban planning that integrates ecosystem restoration and renewable energy solutions. This project exemplifies CUR's commitment to transforming urban spaces in response to climate challenges.

RMIT University’s Early Fault Detection (EFD) system is preventing bushfires and blackouts in North America, Europe, and Australia. This technology enables continuous 24/7 monitoring of network assets, particularly during extreme weather when failures are likely.

Successfully tested in countries like Canada, the USA, Australia, and Malaysia, the EFD system had 2,500 units installed by early 2024, monitoring over 12,500 km of powerlines and preventing more than 750 failures. 

Professor Alan Wong, who developed the technology and now leads IND Technology, highlights its role in enabling proactive and cost-effective electricity network management, and proving itself as an important climate risk mitigation tool.

The EFD system’s patented sensing method and data processing algorithm uniquely identify faults before they occur, locating potential issues within a precise 10-metre section of powerlines. This innovation shifts maintenance from reactive to preventive, enhancing safety and reliability.

In October 2024, RMIT University hosted the "Shaping Urban Futures for Climate Action" event, focusing on engaging young thought leaders in addressing climate challenges within urban settings. 

This dynamic event brought together emerging voices from academia, industry, and government to explore innovative strategies for urban resilience and climate adaptation.

The event featured keynotes and panel discussions where young leaders shared insights on sustainable urban planning, renewable energy integration, and community-driven approaches to climate resilience. 

These future-focused conversations emphasised the role of young innovators in transforming urban spaces to mitigate climate risks and promote sustainable development.

By fostering dialogue and empowering the next generation of leaders, the event highlighted RMIT's commitment to driving climate action and shaping urban futures that prioritise environmental sustainability and resilience.

SDG Alignment Mapping Overview

As reported in the 2024 Sustainability Annual Report, there were 101 course units and 223 research projects aligned with SDG 13 in 2024, representing a wide range of initiatives related to climate action.

Other research insights are captured in the data below.

  • Course Units (Total): 101
  • Research Projects (Total): 223
  • International Research Partnerships (Total): 45
  • Publications (Total): 178
  • Publications in Top 25% Journal Percentiles by SJR (%): RMIT - 82.5 vs. Global Average - 70.1
  • Citations per Publication: RMIT - 4.9 vs. Global Average - 2.8
  • Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI): RMIT - 1.9 vs. Global Average - 1.5
  • National Publication Contribution (%): 3.7%
  • International Collaboration (%): RMIT - 61.8 vs. Global Average - 30.4
  • Developing Country Collaboration (%): 49%
  • Low to Lower-Middle Income Country Collaboration (%): 24%

Research Projects and Initiatives Over the Years

The following research projects have been specifically aligned to Sustainable Development Goal 13 and the aim to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. These projects and initiatives are examples of the University’s contribution to the SDGs over the years.

australian-urban-observatory.jpg

Australian Urban Observatory

The Australian Urban Observatory (AUO) is a new digital liveability planning tool, developed by our team from RMIT’s Centre for Urban Research, which has been specifically designed to support decision makers prioritise actions to promote health and wellbeing in their communities.

sdg-improved-urban-systems.jpg

Improved Urban Systems for Liveability

This project investigates how major cities function and the effects of their land-use, housing and infrastructure systems on the humans that live in them.

sdg-greenhouse-project.jpg

Greenhouse and Sustainability Program

The Greenhouse and Sustainability Program (GSP) connects multi-disciplined Honours and Masters students with industry partners in real-world problem solving.

sdg-honiara-project5.jpeg

Climate action plans for five informal settlements in Honiara, Solomon Islands

This project involves participatory action research and close collaboration with five informal settlements to identify climate vulnerabilities, their priority needs, and then to co-design potential climate actions with local stakeholders (including the identification of local implementation partners).

Load more +
Back to SDGs homepage
aboriginal flag float-start torres 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.

More information