The Sustainable Urban Precincts Program

The Sustainable Urban Precincts Program

The Sustainable Urban Precincts Program (SUPP) was a $128 million project to reduce energy and water use, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with RMIT campus operations.

The Sustainable Urban Precincts Program (SUPP) was a $128 million project to reduce energy and water use, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with RMIT campus operations. By developing the project scope with consideration of the known lifecycle considerations of installed equipment and partnerships, the SUPP investments have also resulted in significant research contributions and operational improvements that benefit the entire RMIT stakeholder community. RMIT recognised the opportunity to expand upon emissions-based objectives to also deliver complementary outcomes that improved maintenance and asset management standards, fostered industry partnership, reduced resource consumption, leveraged learning / teaching and research opportunities and provided future-proofed infrastructure.

RMIT building view from bird perspective

SUPP included five learning and teaching projects, six interdisciplinary research projects and 10 PhD scholarships. As a part of this project, RMIT students and staff took part in world-leading, innovative and collaborative multi-disciplinary research projects, supported by strong industry linkages. Through SUPP and wider on-campus carbon-reduction initiatives RMIT achieved a reduction in emissions of 45.5% at the end of 2018 (from 2007 baseline).

Project timeline: 2012 - 2018

Key contributors: Lin Stevenson and Michael Snow

Find out more: Sustainable Urban Precincts Program

This project addresses the following Sustainable Development Goals and Targets:

4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

4.b By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries

6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

9.5 Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

17.16 Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnership

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information