Sydney Opera House Commits to UN SDGs

The Sydney Opera House has become the first major Australian arts institution to announce its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

With the ocean literally lapping it's feet, and as one of Australia's most important international man made-icons, the commitment is particularly important in support of The Global Goals which address some of the most pressing issues of our time, including inequality, education and climate change.

While the Opera House has always championed environmental sustainability, creativity, diversity, cultural rights and respect for heritage, the announcement puts the icon among a growing collective of global and Australian companies, governments and community organisations that have signed up to the Global Goals.

In honour of the new commitment, the Opera House’s eastern sail, which makes up the roof of the building, was lit up on October 28, in the 17 colours of the Global Goals to show support and help raise awareness of this important social and environmental call to action. (Which all seems pretty useful as our government seems to be doing their level best to do the opposite.)

The Opera House has a five-star Green Star Performance rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Carbon Neutral Certification and a renewable power purchase agreement to source more than 85% of its power from NSW wind and solar.

WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEW COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT ACTION PLANS, THE OPERA HOUSE AIMS TO BE A CATALYST THE OPERA HOUSE WILL REDUCE OUR WASTE GENERATION AND PROMOTE FOR CHANGE, ALIGNED WITH NINE OF THE GLOBAL GOALS.

The Opera House plans to achieve a 6 Star Green Star Performance Rating from the GBCA; eliminate single-use plastic packaging from all venues and restaurants; take steps to become climate positive; and achieve Sustainable Event Management Certification, in line with International Standard (ISO 20121).

The Opera House has signed up to  4 Quality Education; 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth; 10 Reduced Inequalities; 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities; 12 Responsible Consumption and Production; 13 Climate Action; 14 Life Below Water; 15 Life on Land; 17 Partnerships for the Goals. You can get all the details of both The Opera House's commitment to the UNSDGs and plans on their published statement. 

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