The polytechnic is leading the proposal to establish a United Nations' regional centre of expertise for sustainability in Otago.
There are 166 centres around the world and each focuses on a selection of the 17 UN sustainable development goals.
Centre director Barry Law said the polytechnic should know by mid-December if the proposal had been successful.
If it was, the centre would address issues important to Otago such as high-quality learning, waste production and management, disaster management, water management, sustainable horticulture, tourism and agriculture, Mr Law said.
The proposed centre would focus the UN's goals on quality education, water sustainability, sustainable tourism, sustainable cities and towns, partnerships and collaboration.
All the region's mayors had agreed to take part in the proposal, as has the University of Otago, Ngai Tahu, the Otago Regional Council, other businesses and non-profit organisations.
"Collectively, we are a group of people in a region facing potential climate change, water and tourism issues."
"We are a hub for education so why wouldn't we want to drive this and have some control over our future."
It could also double as a centre of vocational excellence which is part of the Government's planned reforms of polytechnic sector, he said.