Sustainable development goals

Pathways to prepare for and manage global change

Radical changes to our environment with climate change means we need to map adaptation pathways now that consider options and prepare us for future decisions.

How do we uncouple global development from resource use?

The world's use of finite resources continues to rise as global development continues. Can we help poorer nations raise their standard of living without exhausting all of our raw materials?

Tackling climate change and regional security in the Pacific

We need to identify Pacific hotspots where climate change will exacerbate other stresses and act to support these places before a crisis happens.

Water knowledge flows between the driest places on Earth

Australian water management expertise is informing management of water resources in Chile.

Towards common goals for humanity

This year has been an extraordinary year for setting goals and targets for humankind. These goals open up opportunities for innovation and business development to benefit Australia and its private sector in the near term, and contribute fundamentally to the longer term futures of our children and grandchildren.

Urban Living Labs: a laboratory for living better

Put simply, an Urban Living Lab is a carefully selected urban development designed to test innovations that promote human wellbeing and urban sustainability.

Asia’s rivers and people to benefit from Australian water knowledge

With massive and growing populations in India and China, water security will be crucial into the future. Australian water management knowledge is now being applied in Asia to help manage the growing problems of pollution and increased water use.

Science can drive the sustainability of our precious soils, water and oceans

Australia’s soil, water, vegetation and biodiversity, and our vast marine estate, are incredibly valuable national assets, which need to be managed effectively. There are still significant gaps in our understanding of these components, and the ways in which they interact. We need to understand them so we can manage them sustainably.

Science and industry can provide opportunities for our common future

Scientists met in Paris recently for the major scientific conference in the lead up to November's UN climate change negotiations. They believe limiting warming to 2˚C is economically feasible, and can be an important contributor to sustainable economic growth.