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

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.

Business-as-usual approaches to development are not consistent with a prosperous future. New approaches to decision-making are needed to ensure that current generations can meet their own needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Bold and intelligent reforms—to laws, policies, institutions and business practice—are urgently needed to combat climate change, the decline of nature, and other complex threats to sustainable development. If well-designed and well-implemented, these reforms can also unlock new opportunities.

The Centre for Sustainable Development Reform creates 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. We welcome long-term partners and diverse forms of collaboration.

  • 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:

    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:

    The Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership

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

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    Race to 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:

    Nature’s leading women

    We’re inviting experts to provide their views on gender equity in biodiversity and climate through an online survey.

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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.

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