Sustainable Development Goals
SDG Specific Projects
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), were adopted by the UN in 2015 to provide a framework to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
The University of Newcastle is committed to aligning our strategic priorities to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our University's values (Excellence, Equity, Engagement and Sustainability) reflect these SDGs and set the standards that we expect, encourage and nurture in our staff and students. They guide our decision making and position us to achieve our purpose.
Further information on our commitment to aligning our strategic priorities to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is outlined in the Looking Ahead Strategic Plan.
Our Goals
In 2019 and 2020 we have focussed on supporting our operations, programs, education, research and development of our Strategic Plan to this commitment. We have built upon our Environmental Sustainability Plan and are working toward carbon neutrality zero waste and leading water recycling strategies and we are optimising travel solutions. We are working with government and industry partners to explore opportunities to further connect our campuses with our region and we are focussed on well-being and creating vibrant, connected communities. We are committed to being a leading advocate and driving force for excellence and equity in higher education. Our campuses will be digitally enabled, environmentally responsible, safe, vibrant, and accessible, adding a new dimension of engagement and collaboration beyond our physical boundaries for students, researchers and the world.
2019-2020
To further this commitment, we have prepared a 2020 SDG Progress report (itemised by each of the sustainable development goals) and for each of the 17 SDG’s, you will find some additional examples of recent projects, news, events, courses, reports and relevant websites below.
Zero Hunger
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Good Health and Well-being
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
- Health and Safety Management System Framework
- Centre of Excellence in Severe Asthma
- Support - Counselling (Staff and Students)
- Support - Health and Lifestyle
- Generational Health and Ageing
- Family Action Centre
- Community Clinics
- Centre for Remote Rural and Mental Health
- Strong partnerships and a shared vision for the future of integrated Healthcare is set to improve the wellbeing of our Central Coast community - News
- Hunter Medical Research Institute - Community Engagement and Volunteering
Quality Education
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
- Community Engagement
- Integrated Innovation Network (i2N)
- Online Learning
- Promoting a Respectful and Collaborative University: Diversity and Inclusiveness Policy
- Children's University Newcastle - CEEHE
- Quality Teaching Academy
- Newstart and Open Foundation
- YAPUG (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Entry
- Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)
- Bachelor of Development Studies (Honours)
Gender Equality
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
- Equitable Workplace
- Equity and Diversity Plans
- Progress to Equity - A workforce Gender Equity Plan
- Reports on Equitable Access to Education - live data
- Completion Rates by Gender - Department of Education, Skills and Employment - data report on Completions rates of Higher Education Students. Select "Cohort Analysis" then filter for the University of Newcastle and also Gender.
- Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education
- Gender Leadership and Social Sustainability - Research Group
- Support - Counselling (for students and staff)
- Accessibility Action Plan (2015-2020)
- Campus Life (Help for parents)
Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Affordable and Clean Energy
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Sustainability at the University of Newcastle
- New green hydrogen made from solar power and air - News
- Environment and Sustainability Plan 2019-2025
- Printed Solar Panels - a better tactic for mobile power generation
- Environmental Sustainability Policy
- Looking Ahead Lecture Series
Hunter Electric Vehicle Festival - ARC Centre for Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals
- International Collaborative Centre for Carbon Futures
- Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER)
- Frontier Energy Technologies and Utilisation
- Pacific Research Road Map
- The Environment and Climate Research Group
- The Conservation Science Research Group
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- The University of Newcastle Research Associates (TUNRA)
- Integrated Innovation Network (I2N)
- Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER)
- Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise - provides services to researchers from the University of Newcastle, as well as connecting industry with the University's world-class research and technologies
Reduced Inequalities
Reduce inequality within and among countries
- Equitable Workplace
- Equity and Diversity Plans
- Reports on Equitable Access to Education - live data
- Refugee Early Entry Scheme - Newcastle Law School
- Joint Medical Program - Miroma Bunbilla program
- Generational Health and Ageing
- Support - Counselling
- Support - Health and Lifestyle
- Accessibility Action Plan (2015-2020)
- Campus Life (Help for parents)
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Responsible Consumption and Production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Climate Action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- Sustainability at the University of Newcastle
- New tropical cyclone outlook model has potential to save lives in the Pacific - News
- Centre for Water, Climate and Land
- International Climate Change Law and Policy
- Pacific Research Road Map
- Newcastle Institute for Energy Research - Initiatives
- Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
- Australian Campuses Towards Sustainability
- The Environment and Climate Research Group
- The Conservation Science Research Group
Life Below Water
Conserve and sustainable use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Life on Land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
- Centre for Water, Climate and Land
- Conservation Science Research Group
- Sustainability at the University of Newcastle
- Environment and Sustainability Plan 2019-2025
- Environmental Sustainability Policy
- Community Garden
- Conservation Science Research Group
- Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration
- Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management
- Green Week
- International Co-operative Alliance - Asia Pacific Research Conference
- Honeysuckle City Campus Development
- Researchers jump to action to save threatened frog species - News
- Farmers face unexpected challenges as they navigate modern life on the land - News
- Researchers to remediate PFAS contamination with hemp seed proteins - News
- Historic Lake could be key to better management of Murray Darling Basin - News
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Partnerships for the Goals
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
- Green Building Council of Australia
- Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER)
- Hunter Region SDG Taskforce
- The NSW Energy and Resources Knowledge Hub
- Newcastle - Community Strategic Plan 2018 - 2028
- CIFAL (Newcastle)
- Frontier Energy Technologies & Utilisation
- Pacific Node - Enhancing Capability in the Pacific
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.