Collaboration for SDG Best Practices

The University of Newcastle works with international partners to compare research approaches and develop transferable practices for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Projects across the Pacific and Asia connect scientific research with local knowledge, industry and community action.

A transferable model for coastal resilience in Samoa

The University of Newcastle, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the National University of Samoa, Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Moata’a Village Council are partners in the Moata’a Living Lab. Established in 2019 and documented in the University’s 2024–2025 research reporting, the programme brings together research, cultural and community knowledge to compare and refine locally relevant approaches to mangrove conservation, monitoring and climate adaptation.

The partnership has developed the Mangrove Masters training programme so government staff and community members can learn practical techniques for monitoring ecosystem health, recognising early decline and supporting restoration. University researchers have also sampled water quality and studied mangrove, fish and coral communities in adjoining coastal environments. These shared methods provide a best-practice demonstration site for ecosystem-based adaptation, with scope to extend community monitoring to other villages.

By 2020, only five hectares of mangrove habitat remained at Moata’a. Community restoration has since planted more than 2,500 seedlings over recent years; these figures describe the wider programme, not a 2025-only result. The University’s NIER 2024–2025 Annual Report records further partnership engagement, practical training and sharing of this environmental approach with Samoan organisations.

The University and Samoan partners also review approaches to plastic pollution. Collaborative work with the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa and Samoa’s environment ministry has developed sampling and analytical capability for microplastics, supporting local benchmarks and waste-management goals. Read the University’s Samoa research-impact case study for the linked conservation, research and training initiatives.

Comparing clean-energy approaches with international partners in 2025

On 4 September 2025, the University’s Centre for Sustainable Development in Singapore and the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Hydrogen Innovations co-hosted the Clean Energy Symposium. More than 120 invited guests from research, industry and innovation organisations attended. Two panels examined alternative approaches to clean fuels, including hydrogen and ammonia, and to future electricity systems, including renewable integration, investment, workforce capability and energy security.

Australian and Singaporean experts compared technical and policy challenges and potential joint approaches to the low-carbon transition, supported by NIER, Singapore’s A*STAR and industry. The exchange addressed SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

In a complementary 2025 collaboration, University researchers secured $3 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency for work on hydrogen-based iron reduction and electric smelting with RWTH Aachen University in Germany and BHP. NIER’s international sustainable cokemaking and ironmaking conference brought 170 delegates from 18 countries together to compare emissions-reduction technologies and share research insights relevant to the steel sector’s transition.

Sharing environmental approaches across the Pacific

The University’s Pacific Initiative provides a collaborative research framework with SPREP and partner governments, universities and communities. Its work combines climate and disaster resilience, biodiversity protection, waste management, environmental governance, human and social development, and people-to-people connections. Research excellence, innovation, knowledge brokerage and training are used to translate learning into practical regional solutions.

In 2025, the University worked with the Cook Islands National Environment Service on Rarotonga catchment audits, sharing ecological monitoring and compact native “tiny forest” restoration approaches with local partners. Read the University’s 2025 Cook Islands project update.

Partners also include the Cook Islands National Environment Service, Samoa’s education and environment ministries, the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa, Papua New Guinea’s Department of Health and the University of French Polynesia. New Colombo Plan scholarships and Australia Awards Fellowships complement research exchange.

International networks and knowledge exchange

Through the UNITAR Global Water Academy and CIFAL network, the University exchanges knowledge on water management and sustainable development. Its draft also identifies EPIC, involving WWF Pacific, IUCN, the University of the South Pacific, FIJI Water and SPREP, and PRIDA as research and knowledge-sharing partnerships. Specific 2025 comparative outputs from each network have not been independently established.

Cross-cultural approaches, including the draft’s example of two-eyed seeing, can integrate scientific and Indigenous knowledge; its use in a specific 2025 University project remains unverified.

Earlier international research exchange

In November 2024, the University’s Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN) hosted ICEAN 2024, co-organised with IIT Bombay and Pusan National University. More than 800 scientists from 42 countries exchanged advances in energy, healthcare and materials. Planning is underway for ICEAN 2026 which will be held 16-20 November 2026.

These initiatives reflect our deep commitment to international collaboration, comparative learning, and the co-creation of best practices that advance sustainable development worldwide.

Engagement themes (Pacific)

Our partnership with the Pacific region includes engagement of three main areas.

Global Experience and Exchange

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