About RMIT University
RMIT is a multi-sector university of technology, design and enterprise with a mission to help shape the world through research, innovation, quality teaching and engagement. RMIT creates life-changing experiences for students, getting them ready for life and work.
One of Australia’s original educational institutions founded in 1887, RMIT University now has 91,000 students and 11,000 staff globally. The University enjoys an international reputation for excellence in professional and vocational education, applied and innovative research, and engagement with the needs of industry and the community. Collaboration with industry is integral to the University’s leadership in applied research and education, and to the development of highly skilled, globally focused graduates.
RMIT is a complex and diverse institution with a far-reaching global footprint. The management of financial, physical, social and environmental assets is focused on improving long-term performance and delivering the best possible campus experience for the RMIT community.
Sustainability at RMIT
RMIT is committed to the practice of incorporating sustainability principles and practices into learning and teaching, research and operational activities.
RMIT has committed to reduce its building emissions to a net zero position by 2030. As a minimum, half of the emissions reductions required to meet this commitment are to come from on-site initiatives.
This commitment builds on the previous emissions reduction target to reduce RMIT’s emissions by 25% by 2020, this target was achieved four years ahead of schedule. In 2018 RMIT saw a 45 per cent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions versus a 2007 baseline. This target was achieved four years early through practical actions, including:
- The Sustainable Urban Precincts Program (SUPP)– a $128 million plan which has been implemented to reduce energy and water use, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with campus operations.
- The Melbourne Renewable Energy Projectis an Australian first, bringing together a group of local governments, cultural institutions, universities and corporations collectively purchasing renewable energy from a newly built facility. Crowlands Windfarm is an 80MW wind farm, consisting of 39 turbines located 20 kilometres north-east of Ararat. RMIT has committed to purchasing 25 per cent of its electricity from the wind farm over the next 10 years.
- On-site solar continues to be expanded at RMIT with the total on-site solar photovoltaic (PV) generation currently sitting at 600kW on a spatially constrained campus.
RMIT supply chain
In 2018 RMIT developed a Sustainable Procurement Plan to fully integrate sustainability considerations into procurement practices, processes, responsibilities and governance.
This approach to sustainable procurement is aligned with the international standard, ISO 20400:2017 Sustainable procurement – guidance (ISO 20400). The standard defines sustainable procurement as procurement that has the most positive environmental, social and economic impacts possible over the entire life cycle.
As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, RMIT applies a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework to its procurement activities. Processes include supplier screening, a code of conduct to set expectations regarding ethical practices, and performance criteria to monitor the environmental, social and economic impacts of goods and services. RMIT tenders also now include detailed sustainability, Indigenous and industry engagement criteria to drive more positive outcomes for the community.
For more information contact [email protected]
Engaging with the School
Here’s what you need to do to play your part in creating successful, sustainable projects:
Join the School and complete a Self Assessment
- Make sure you are registered with the School– registration is fast, free and simple. Then come back to this page!
- Complete a Self Assessment to understand your own (and your organisation’s) level of sustainability knowledge. After you’ve completed this your sustainability learning Action Plan will be provided.
In your own time complete the following modules
- Sustainable Procurement – this 30 minute module covers important sustainability, procurement and supply chain elements.
- Human Rights and Modern Slavery– this 30 minute module explains some of the current issues around Human Rights and Modern Slavery in the supply chain, how they’re relevant to you, and what you can do.
- Waste– this 1 hour module will provide you with an overview of waste impacts in the construction sector including waste mitigation and cost saving measures.
- Sustainable Construction – this module will discuss the various themes of sustainable construction, including waste, water, transport, carbon and energy and ethical issues.
