The 4 phases of the project were developed based on the SDGs framework and they address the SDGs as following:
1. Raising Awareness
This phase is directed at developing and implementing a communication and engagement strategy to increase internal and external stakeholders’ awareness of the SDGs. This is an important initiative that goes well beyond documenting awareness of the SDGs to disseminating RMIT’s commitments to the SDGs, informing and engaging key stakeholders, identifying opportunities for collaboration and disseminating the important role universities can play in advancing the 2030 Agenda.
2. Our Capabilities
This phase establishes, analyses, and maintains a record of RMIT’s SDGs expertise through a mixed approach, which incorporates both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data has been obtained through a combination of keyword search approach, machine learning technique and manual validation. A qualitative approach has also been utilised to identify capabilities and contributions to the SDGs that could not be captured through quantitative data.
3. Collaboration Opportunities
Collaboration opportunities are identified through mapping of RMIT’s business plan, main policies and strategies against the SDGs. One of the goals of this phase is to foster internal and external collaboration and facilitate interlinkages and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, to advance the SDGs.
4. Measuring and Reporting
Designing and implementing a measurement process to measure and report on RMIT’s contributions to the SDGs is one of the goals of this phase. This process is an important strategy for tracking our performance, as well as for improving accountability and transparency. RMIT has been publishing sustainability reports in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) since 2015 and since 2018 our sustainability report has been employing the SDGs as a sustainability framework to demonstrate RMIT’s global sustainability impact.