Translating sustainability evidence into policy and law reform.
An interdisciplinary research centre at UNSW Sydney working across climate adaptation, environmental accounting, and development governance.
An interdisciplinary research centre at UNSW Sydney
CSDR translates complex sustainability evidence into actionable frameworks for government, industry, and civil society.
The Centre for Sustainable Development Reform (CSDR) at UNSW Sydney conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental science, law, and public policy. Established within the Faculty of Law & Justice, the Centre works to bridge rigorous academic inquiry and practical policy application.
Our research programme spans climate risk assessment, environmental accounting, and development governance. We work with Australian federal and state government agencies, international organisations, and private sector partners to deliver evidence-based analysis that drives measurable policy reform.
Recent publications and briefings
Climate Adaptation in Australia
Evidence-based recommendations for Australian climate adaptation policy across agriculture, coastal infrastructure, and health systems.
Climate Outlook 2026
Public briefing on global temperature trajectories, Australian sectoral risk assessments, and the Centre's 2026 research agenda.
Climate Risk Assessment Q1 2026
Quarterly synthesis of climate-related risks to Australian infrastructure, agriculture, and communities, drawn from BoM, CSIRO, and international monitoring.
Environmental accounting: from data to decisions
Integrating natural capital and environmental costs into economic reporting gives decision-makers a clearer picture of the trade-offs behind policy. Our accounting frameworks turn complex environmental data into metrics that regulators and institutions can act on.
Read moreGet in touch
The Centre is based at UNSW Sydney, Kensington Campus. For research enquiries, partnership opportunities, or media requests, contact us at [email protected].