Northumbria University has been ranked top 10 in the UK and
among the top institutions in the world
for sustainability in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025.
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that
assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The Impact Rankings rate universities for their work in
research, stewardship, outreach and teaching against the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, known as
SDGs. The goals recognise that global work to end poverty, tackle climate
change and ensure sustainability must go hand-in-hand with strategies to
improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth.
Northumbria University scored especially well for its work
in the area of responsible consumption and production, ranking 5th in the world.
A total of 2,218 institutions worldwide were ranked in the table,
an additional 355 institutions joining since last year with Northumbria retaining
and impressively high position in the overall league table, ranking 53rd in the world.
Northumbria also scored highly for its work related to the
goals around; life on land; and partnership for the goals, ranking in the top
25 in the world in these areas.
Professor
Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University said: “Leading by example when it comes to sustainability is essential if we
are to have credibility to drive forward environmental policies with our
students, as well as within our city and region through our role as an anchor
institution.
“A key part of our strategy is to tackle the global
challenges of our age, driving sustainability through our research, education
and operations. This extends beyond our world-leading research in areas such as
renewable energy materials, ice sheets and volunteering, humanitarian crises
and development, to the way in which we carry out our operational activities.
We know that the way we operate as a university has a significant impact on the
environment and the wider community, and we work hard to maximise our positive
contribution in many different ways.”
Speaking on some of the University’s stewardship activities, Professor John
Woodward, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) and Chair of Northumbria
University’s Sustainability Management Group, said: “Northumbria University has a deep-rooted commitment to the UN
Sustainable Development Goals and we are delighted to see this is evidenced in
our performance in Times Higher Education’s Impact Ranking.”
“Responsible consumption and production is something we are
very conscious of at Northumbria. This can be seen through the works we
undertake to refurbish our campus, investing in energy projects that utilise
onsite renewable generation, including site electricity generation via PV
arrays and buildings that can operate with renewable heat technologies.
“We also have a zero non-hazardous waste to landfill policy,
and donate thousands of unwanted items to charity each year both through the
British Heart Foundation Pack for Good Scheme and through donations of unwanted
furniture arising from refurbishment projects.”
Click here to read more on environmental sustainability at Northumbria and how
the University’s activities support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
