About

Our purpose and how we work

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SDRH closing the gap

Our mission

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.

The UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform (CSDR) is dedicated to catalyzing ambitious and pragmatic reforms in law, policy, and governance to contribute to the global sustainable development agenda, particularly the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, and the Montreal-Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework. 

Established in 2022 by UNSW Law and Justice, opens in a new window, CSDR strives to fulfil the public responsibilities and mission of UNSW; to provide education, conduct research and contribute to society. 

Centre activities currently span more than 20 countries and are characterised by working in partnership with decision-makers across government, international institutions, local communities, and the private and non-profit sectors. We build and scale enduring multi-disciplinary partnerships and creating safe spaces for decision-makers to plan pragmatic actions informed by rigorous science, knowledge and 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:
    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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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.