University of Melbourne and City of Melbourne Partner to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Strategic Insights -

The University of Melbourne's Connected Cities Lab and the City of Melbourne are joining forces to implement the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the aim of making Melbourne a better place to live and work. The partnership will see the two entities work together to review and benchmark the city's progress in addressing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, clean energy, sustainable buildings, economic development, and water use. The project will also engage with key stakeholders, businesses, and the community to build awareness of and engagement with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Key Takeaways:

  • The University of Melbourne's Connected Cities Lab and the City of Melbourne will collaborate on implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in Melbourne.
  • The partnership will focus on reviewing and benchmarking the city's progress in addressing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, clean energy, sustainable buildings, economic development, and water use.
  • The project will use data and evidence to support city planning and decision-making, and will highlight best practices in leveraging the SDGs in recovery efforts, such as in New York, Barcelona, and Los Angeles.
  • The City of Melbourne will engage with key stakeholders, businesses, and the community to build awareness of and engagement with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • The partnership aims to make Melbourne a leader internationally in sustainable urban development, with a focus on practical data-driven analysis and the integration of the SDGs into city governance.
  • The University of Melbourne's Vice-President, Strategy & Culture, Dr Julie Wells, expressed the University's commitment to creating public value with the City of Melbourne as part of an important global movement.
  • The City of Melbourne CEO Justin Hanney highlighted the City's support for businesses and the community during the pandemic, and expressed the City's commitment to responding to the climate and biodiversity emergency.
  • The Connected Cities Lab will collaborate with various branches across the Council to strengthen Melbourne's global profile and support the city's planning.

Statistics:

  • The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has been endorsed by all 193 member states of the United Nations.
  • The project will link Melbourne with other cities across the Asia Pacific region that are also using the SDGs.
  • Melbourne will benchmark its progress against other leading cities around the world using the SDGs.
  • The City of Melbourne plans to invest in services such as recycling, renewable energy, open space, cycling lanes, water conservation, and planting trees.

Sources:

  • University of Melbourne, "University of Melbourne and City of Melbourne to implement Sustainable Development Goals"
  • City of Melbourne, "City of Melbourne and University of Melbourne partner to achieve Sustainable Development Goals"
  • United Nations, "Sustainable Development Goals"