Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Sustainability matters

Tackling the world's greatest challenges and improving futures for everyone.
Personalise
SDG Showcase 2024 banner hanging outside the UNSW John Niland Scientia Building

Explore UNSW's contributions to the SDGs

As a leading global university, UNSW has impact across all 17 of the SDGs, which tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, such as ending poverty and hunger, climate change, the reduction of inequalities and more.

Long journey home: the return of the platypus

SDG 15: Life on Land

Scientists from UNSW Sydney have re-introduced platypuses to the Royal National Park after an absence of more than 50 years.

opens in a new window

Advancing cervical cancer elimination in the Pacific

SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing
UNSW received a $25.9 million donation from the Swire Group, the largest single philanthropic donation in its history. The funds will allow UNSW's Kirby Institute to work with regional partners to screen thousands of women in seven Pacific countries for cervical cancer.

opens in a new window

UNSW wins top prize for electrification

SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy

UNSW won the the commercial electrification category at the 2025 Australian Renewable Heat Awards, for its Stage 1 Electrification Project, switching student accommodation, kitchens, childcare, sports and hospitality facilities from gas to fully electric systems.

opens in a new window

Submit your story

Have you got something exciting to share?
Submit your newsworthy SDG stories for website or THE Impact Ranking submissions here.
Award trophy star 1 icon
4th in Australia

in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025.
Award medal 1 icon
11th in the world

in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025.

View rankings
2021-10-medal
7th in the world

in the 2026 QS World University Sustainability Rankings.

Global Goals Week

19 - 28 September

Led by the United Nations, Global Goals Week is an annual week of action, awareness, and accountability for the SDGs. Find out how UNSW is driving real-world solutions to achieve a better future for all.

opens in a new window

World Oceans Day

8 June

Find how out UNSW's Kelp Forest Challenge is saving the world's forgotten forests. 

opens in a new window

World Environment Day

5 June 
At UNSW, we believe universities have a critical role in promoting sustainable practices and are uniquely positioned to lead and effect environmental change.

opens in a new window

World Mental Health Day

10 October
Founded by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992, World Mental Health Day is observed annually to raise awareness and promote positive change in mental health. At UNSW, we believe universities have a responsibility to not only support our students and staff, but drive innovations in health and wellbeing that help people around the world.

opens in a new window

UNSW Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report

This report outlines UNSW's performance against the SDGs in 2024.
Download

Explore UNSW's contributions to the SDGs

Learn more

News

Like solar, most of the first home battery subsidies went to the wealthy. We need a fairer approach

Like solar, the first households to embrace home batteries have been wealthy. We need to move away from first-come, first-secured schemes.

May 12, 2026
Science & Tech Opinion Business School Division of Equity Diversity & Inclusion SDG SDG7 SDG13 Research Sustainability Resilient society

Slowly ticking breast cancer cells offer new clues to late relapse

Researchers have mapped the drivers of breast cancer cells that resist therapy by growing extremely slowly rather than entering a completely dormant state.

May 12, 2026
Medicine & Health Division of Equity Diversity & Inclusion General Health SDG SDG3 Research Networks and partnerships Healthy lives

Payyazhi Vadakkekara Jayashree appointed Rector of UNSW Bengaluru

Award-winning global educator and leadership scholar to lead landmark India campus, a cornerstone of UNSW's Progress for All strategy.

May 11, 2026
Division of Equity Diversity & Inclusion UNSW Bengaluru SDG SDG4 SDG8 General Prosperity Education Networks and partnerships

Australia is showing how a rich country gets poorer

UNSW Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs says idling productivity over the past decade is estimated to have cost each Australian about $11,000 per year in lost income.

May 11, 2026
Division of Equity Diversity & Inclusion SDG SDG1 SDG4 SDG8 SDG9 SDG10 Social Affairs General Education Research Networks and partnerships Culture Sustainability Prosperity Resilient society Opinion
All news