Goal #14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

UNSW is committed to this goal and demonstrates its commitment through:

leading research into coastal and temperate marine environments at the Centre for Marine Science & Innovation
education programs provided by the Global Water Institute and Centre for Marine Science & Innovation
a plastic free program to support the reduction of plastic waste into waterways and oceans.
programs to increase awareness and engagement of the general public about the marine environment and joint marine research and rehabillitation projects.

How can we rebuild our marine life?

Many marine species, habitats and ecosystems have suffered catastrophic declines and climate change further undermines ocean productivity and biodiversity. Key threats are pollution and overfishing. Around 8 million metric tons of plastic enters our oceans each year and the rate in which plastic finds its way in to our ocean is increasing. Singe use plastics remain high and recycling low. Australia alone uses 118,000 tons of single use plastic bottles per year with only 40% being recycled. 60% enters landfills and waterways, taking 1,000 years to biodegrade. The good news is biodiversity losses in the ocean are less pronounced than those on land, and many marine species are capable of recovery once pressures are reduced or removed.

In this video, Professor Tracey Rogers from the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW, breaks down some of the key challenges behind SDG #14.

UNSW Centre for Marine Science and Innovation

The CMSI focuses on researching fundamental knowledge on the functions, processes, interactions and changes in the marine environment and use this to develop innovative solutions for management, conservation and economic developments. Our expertise and experience cover a multidisciplinary mix of ecological and biological sciences, physical and biological oceanography, environmental impact assessment, as well as coastal geomorphology and engineering. We provide a dynamic environment for education, outreach, communication, engagement and collaboration.

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Artificial Reefs: Prof Tracey Rogers

With specifically designed reef fields costing approx $1 million, the question is not do they work, but do they work too well? Prof Tracy Rogers speaks to special guest, Prof Iain Suthers about production vs attraction and lots more.

Climate for Change: Dr Adriana Vergés

Ahead of the Paris summit, we asked some of our best researchers for one memorable idea for why we should act on climate change now.

Warming waters & turtles

Professor Tracey Rogers explains some of the challenges facing marine turtles including sex skewing. The sex of marine turtles depends on what the temperature was when they were eggs, so will global warming mean too many females?

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UNSW Water Research Laboratory

Aerial view of waves crashing on the rocks

Providing research & advice to industry & local government on water matters for over 50 years in areas of the coast, estuaries, inland waterways, wetlands, groundwater & potable water.

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UNSW Global Water Institute

Sea pollution, plastic floating under water

World leader in water research, innovation and problem solving. The Institute draws on water expertise across UNSW to create the Nation’s most advanced water knowledge hub.

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UNSW Strategy in Action 2025

UNSW 2025 Strategy Update

This document celebrates the key achievements of the first phase of the 2025 Strategy, highlighting where we have come from and where we are now. It also updates the framework against which we will assess, track and measure existing and new strategic initiatives over the next five years.

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UNSW Environmental Sustainability Plan

UNSW has a history of environmental stewardship across research, learning & teaching and campus operations across several decades. The Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP) will build on past achievements, while raising our ambition levels to meet the environmental challenges of today.

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