Charles Sturt University is proud to announce the release of its 2023 report against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which marks a significant milestone in the university's commitment to building prosperity while protecting the planet.

The SDGs provide a global blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.

Charles Sturt University has embraced these goals as a guiding framework to enhance social, environmental and economic wellbeing through its research, education and community engagement.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Renée Leon said the recent 29th annual Conference of the Parties (COP29) was a reminder of the challenges faced as an international community and Charles Sturt was committed to playing its part is reducing global emissions.

“Charles Sturt University is dedicated to addressing the serious environmental issues our planet is facing by tacking these challenges head on,” Professor Leon said.

Professor Leon noted that Charles Sturt University is Australia's first certified carbon-neutral university.

“Being Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral university underscores our dedication to sustainability and our proactive approach to reducing our carbon footprint.”

Other examples of Charles Sturt University contributing to the SDGs include:

• The Grow Your Own Teacher program, which supports education workers with existing classroom experience to complete formal teaching qualifications and serve the needs of targeted school locations such as Dubbo and the Murray region.

• Yindyamarra Nguluway, a program of research, events, podcasts and wider contributions to public discourse that explores achieving justice for First Nations peoples, reforming democracy, and addressing the deeper moral and spiritual crises of our times.

• Freshwater Fish Expertise. A team of Charles Sturt’s internationally recognised freshwater fish experts has developed a new online course to support authorities in South-East Asia in mitigating the impacts of river development on fish populations through the education of key stakeholders.

• The Women in Trades in Regional Australia program has established a framework for a robust trades workforce and sustainable skills development to drive job growth and economic prosperity post-COVID-19. It includes the Trade Pathways Program, which provided a Women in Trades Strategy to increase the participation of women in trades.

Professor Leon expressed pride in the university's accomplishments under the SDGs.

“Enhancing social, environmental, and economic wellbeing through our research, education, and community engagement is an important way we can meet community needs while also delivering on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” Professor Leon said.

“The staff and students at Charles Sturt University have much to be proud about. Our goal is to foster prosperity, not just for our local communities, but globally.

“I am continually inspired by the university’s commitment to making a real difference in people’s lives. The work we do here has a lasting impact, and I look forward to witnessing even more positive outcomes in the year ahead."

Click here to read the full report.

ENDS