Northumbria University top 50 in the world for sustainability

23rd April 2021

Northumbria University has been ranked 50th in the world for sustainability in the 2021 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, showcasing the excellent work being delivered by the University globally and in the local community.

The THE Impact Rankings are a global league table which measure universities’ success in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a set of global targets aiming to help the world achieve a more sustainable future and address global challenges such as access to quality education, gender inequality, and climate change.

Northumbria University submitted data for 12 of the SDGs and reached the top 40 for three categories, including: ranking 35th for the Affordable and Clean Energy goal for its commitment to promoting energy efficiency in the community; 10th for the Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions goal for its outstanding research on peace and justice; and 15th in Partnerships for the Goals for its collaboration with other countries to support the SDGs.

Celebrating the University’s success, Professor George Marston, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Northumbria University, commented: “I am absolutely delighted by this success. Sustainability is at our core in both the way that we operate our campuses and our academic offer. This result in the THE Impact Rankings is a testimony to the University’s wide-ranging commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”

More than 1,100 institutions from 98 countries/regions across the world submitted data to participate in the third edition of the rankings. The results for each SDG are based on Northumbria’s operations, research impact, partnerships, and its ability to provide social, environmental, and economic benefits around the world.

Northumbria is committed to supporting the SDGs in all areas of its activities and has seen some excellent results. Northumbria was recognised as the 4th most sustainable University in the UK in the 2019 People & Planet University League and has reduced its carbon emissions by 58% in the past five years.

Northumbria also won a national Green Gown Award for the work of its Student Law Office to support access to justice across the North East and was recently granted Silver certification from the Hedgehog Friendly Campus awards for its ongoing efforts to support hedgehogs on campus and in the wider community.

View the 2021 THE Impact Rankings results and read the full methodology here.

For more information about Northumbria’s contribution to the UN SDGs, please visit the sustainability web pages.

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