Centre for Sustainable Development Reform

Catalysing ambitious and pragmatic reforms in law, policy and governance to contribute to the integrated environment, social and economic objectives of the global sustainable development agenda.
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Narrabean ocean pool aerial view

CSDR transforms evidence into policy and law reforms that create equitable outcomes for people and nature.

We welcome long-term partnerships and diverse collaborations across the public, private and non-profit sectors—aligned to national, regional and global commitments concerning climate change and sustainable development.

Latest news

BBNJ Batch Identifier: A String of Characters Could Democratise Ocean Science

Dec 12, 2025
Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Expert insights

COP30 Panel. Climate and Biodiversity Action: Integrated Opportunities for Big Ocean States

Nov 04, 2025
Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Events Expert insights

COP30 Panel. Gender Equality for Climate and Nature: An Action Agenda

Nov 04, 2025
Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Events Expert insights

BBNJ Agreement a new era for ocean governance

Oct 23, 2025
Centre for Sustainable Development Reform Expert insights

Our work is organised around three pathways:

  • A future where policies and performance of governments and other institutions are benchmarked against a range of indicators that complement Gross Domestic Product, accounting for the social, environmental and other foundations of sustainable development.

    Initiatives:
    Kiliifi creek Kenya
    The Global Ocean Accounts Partnership

    The Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) is a global, multistakeholder partnership established to enable countries and other stakeholders to go Beyond GDP to measure and manage progress toward ocean sustainable development.

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  • A future where laws, policies and investment support the innovation required to unlock transitions to zero-carbon development across all relevant sectors. 

    Initiatives:
    Port Funafuti Tuvalu
    The Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership

    The Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership is an open coalition of Pacific Island Countries

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    Concept of green solar energy. Green planet earth with trees and solar panels in the ocean.
    Race for 2030

    Race for 2030 is an industry-led cooperative research centre established in 2020 to accelerate the transition to reliable, affordable, clean energy for 2030.

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  • A future where economic activities achieve inclusive and equitable outcomes and strengthen the environmental assets that are the foundation of sustainable development.

    Initiatives:
    participants in the 2024 NLW meet
    Nature’s leading women

    Nurturing a global sisterhood of conservation leaders

    This global movement fosters a safe environment for women leaders in conservation to speak up and lead.

     

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    BBNJ Expert Advisory Group

    The BBNJ Agreement, adopted on 19 June 2023, ensures the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

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About

The Centre for Sustainable Development Reform was established by the UNSW Faculty of Law and Justice in 2022. Find out more about how we strive to fulfil the public responsibilities and mission of UNSW (and the university sector as a whole).

Events

Organised to create safe spaces for changemakers, from government, business, and wider society, to plan practical action for a sustainable futures informed by knowledge and insights from across the world.

Research

Open-access analysis, guidance and other documentation produced to support action-focused collaboration for sustainable development.

Expert insights

Reflections and commentaries from our team on the latest news and events in sustainable development.

Data

Data is the foundation of evidence-based decision-making. Our team of data experts produce data tools to support decision-makers in this process.

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Our team

Find out more about the team at the Centre for Sustainable Development Reform.

Recent Reports and Papers
Trapeang Sangkae Fishing Community Members help the group of people from Sathapana Bank team to replant the mangrove trees on 24th June 2023. Kampot, Cambodia
Advancing Integrated Ocean-Based Action

Trends in New NDCs and NBSAPs
Evaluation of new & updated NDCs to Nov 2025, identifying references to ocean-based climate actions & interaction with NBSPs

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sunset ocean view
Advisory Group on BBNJ Finance

Latest research and briefs focused on legal and governance elements to support the establishment of the BBNJ.

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full cartons of used plastic bottles
A data platform to identify public sources of information on global plastic
The Global Plastics Data Tracker

Introducing the Global Plastics Data Tracker. Developed to identify gaps in plastics data reporting, and to identify areas where data reporting has advanced. Information to help countries understand where progress can be made.

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