Commitments
RMIT strives to adopt a leadership role at a national and international level to shape a sustainable environment and society.
This is evidenced by our commitments and is operationalised through our plans. Our key commitments include:
RMIT has committed to reducing its emissions to a net-zero position by 2025. RMIT will strive to meet half of the emissions reductions through on-site initiatives, with the remaining emissions reductions to be sourced from offsetting activities. The University moved this commitment forward from the previous date of 2030 to both acknowledge the progress that had already been made and to reinforce our commitment to urgent climate action.
The United Nations Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with over 13,500 participating businesses and non-business organisations. The Compact calls for organisations to align their strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and take actions to advance societal goals – particularly the SDGs. RMIT became a signatory to the UN Global Compact in September 2003 and demonstrates its continued engagement with the UN Global Compact, by utilising out Sustainability Annual Report as a formal Communication on Engagement submission.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a pathway for organisations to a more sustainable future. The 17 goals and their respective set of targets and indicators help organisations to identify sustainability aspects relevant to their operations and add value.
Governed by the Sustainability Committee, RMIT made a formal public commitment to the SDGs through the Sustainable Development Solutions Network in June 2017.
To demonstrate its global leadership and genuine sustainability commitments, the Vice Chancellor’s Executive approved an enterprise-wide model to employs the SDGs as its sustainability framework, which means that RMIT is embedding the SDGs into its strategies, processes, policies, and practices including curriculum, research, governance and operations.
RMIT University became a signatory to the Talloires Declaration in 1995. The Talloires Declaration is a document containing the signatures of higher education institution leaders, pledging that their respective university or college will become world leaders in developing, supporting and maintaining sustainability. The Talloires Declaration was drafted at a conference of 22 universities in Talloires, France in 1990. The conference was convened by Jean Mayer, the then President of Tufts University in Massachusetts, USA. The registrar for the declaration is held by the University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF) organization, based in Washington DC, USA.
The Australian Technology Network brings together four of the most innovative and enterprising universities in the nation: RMIT University, University of Technology Sydney, University of South Australia and Curtin University. The ATN is committed to forging partnerships with industry and government to deliver practical results through real-world research. In 2008 RMIT University, alongside its partner ATN universities, signed the ATN Declaration of Commitment to Local, National and Global Sustainability, which pledges to make sustainability a focus in the University’s teaching and learning programs, research, infrastructure and operations. This pledge committed RMIT to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent by 2020. This target was exceeded and met well ahead of schedule, with the reduction achieved four years early.
RMIT is urban in orientation and creativity, shaping sustainable cities and drawing inspiration from the challenges and opportunities they provide. RMIT is therefore strongly committed to transforming its own built environment to create sustainable and resilient cities.
RMIT ensures that changes to the built environment demonstrate leadership excellence in sustainable design and innovation. RMIT values the Green Star framework, as a clear and consistent model to recognise sustainability achievements and targets a minimum 5-star Green Star As-Built certification for all new developments and significant refurbishments.
Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) principles are embedded within the University’s Design Standards, to ensure the entire Capital Development Program delivers holistic sustainability outcomes.
In 2009 RMIT, along with Macquarie University was announced as the first Fair Trade University in Australia by the Fair Trade Association. We are committed to using fair trade products where possible on our campuses and promoting fair and ethical trade
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 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
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.