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Abbie Wightwick

Cardiff University tops list of most sustainable universities in Wales

Cardiff University has ranked in the global top 100 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023. The list, now in its fifth year, is the world’s only one that measures universities’ contributions to the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UK has one university in the overall top 10, three in the top 20 and 26 in the top 100 – more than any other nation in THE’s Impact Rankings. Cardiff University comes in joint 52nd place, the highest ranked university in Wales, and the twelfth highest in the UK.

A record 1,705 universities from 115 countries/regions were assessed and rated on their their commitment to sustainability across four areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. Western Sydney University came out top.

Read more: Students in Wales face disruption to degrees as lecturers boycott marking and vote to strike over graduation

Cardiff University Abacws building, Senghenydd Road (Mark Lewis)

The UK’s highest ranked institution, overall, is Manchester University, which took second spot. In addition, the university attained the top spot for one of the 17 sustainable development goals, life on land. The UK has the most universities in the top 100 of the overall table with 26.

The rankings also look at the social and economic impact of a more diverse range of institutions, with Bournemouth University at joint 29th and Bangor University joint 64th, Manchester Metropolitan University 66th position, Northumbria University joint 79th and Nottingham Trent University and University of Greenwich at 86th positions, all of which make the world top 100 alongside Russell Group institutions.

Impact Rankings 2023: all UK universities in the overall top 100

University of Manchester

United Kingdom

2

University of Glasgow

United Kingdom

13

University of Exeter

United Kingdom

=18

Newcastle University

United Kingdom

=24

Bournemouth University

United Kingdom

=29

University of East Anglia

United Kingdom

=36

University of Strathclyde

United Kingdom

=36

University of Sheffield

United Kingdom

=42

University of Surrey

United Kingdom

=46

University of Leicester

United Kingdom

=49

University of Sussex

United Kingdom

=49

Cardiff University

United Kingdom

=52

University of Edinburgh

United Kingdom

=52

University of Essex

United Kingdom

56

University of Reading

United Kingdom

=61

Bangor University

United Kingdom

=64

Manchester Metropolitan University

United Kingdom

66

University of Aberdeen

United Kingdom

70

Brunel University London

United Kingdom

=74

Durham University

United Kingdom

=77

University of Liverpool

United Kingdom

=79

Northumbria University

United Kingdom

=79

Queen’s University Belfast

United Kingdom

85

University of Greenwich

United Kingdom

=86

Nottingham Trent University

United Kingdom

=86

University of Plymouth

United Kingdom

=10

Source: Times Higher Education (THE)

Cardiff also features among the top 10 and the top 40 for progress in individual sustainable development targets. It ranks sixth for life below water - with that SDG stating it aims to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources - as well as 31st for health and wellbeing, a target to "ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages".

UK universities highest position in the 17 individual SDGs and all those in the top 10

1. SDG 1 – No poverty: University of Manchester – 7th

2. SDG 2 – Zero hunger: University of Exeter – 11th

3. SDG 3 – Good health and well being: Cardiff University – 31st

4. SDG 4 – Quality education: Manchester Metropolitan University – joint 33rd

5. SDG 5 – Gender equality: University of Worcester – 23rd

6. SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation: University of Exeter – 1st

7. SDG 7 – Affordable and clean energy: Loughborough University – 15th

8. SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth: Bournemouth University – 3rd and Northumbria University – joint 7th

9. SDG 9 – Industry innovation and infrastructure: University of Edinburgh – joint 5th

10. SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities: University of Huddersfield – 5th; London South Bank University – 8th and Sheffield Hallam University – 9th

11. SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities: University of Glasgow – 2nd; University of Manchester – 3rd and University of Surrey – 10th

12. SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production: University of Reading – 2nd; University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University – 3rd (joint); Bournemouth University – 6th; Queen’s University Belfast – 7th; University of Sheffield and University of Warwick – joint 9th

13. SDG 13 – Climate action: University of Exeter – 8th and University of Reading – 10th

14. SDG 14 – Life below water: Cardiff University – 6th and University of Manchester – 10th

15. SDG 15 – Life on land: University of Manchester – 1st; University of East Anglia – 3rd and University of Reading – 8th

16. SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions: University of Liverpool – 5th; University of Glasgow – 6th and University of Strathclyde – 9th

17. SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals: University of Aberdeen – 4th; Manchester Metropolitan University – 7th; University of Strathclyde – 8th and University of Glasgow – 9th

Impact Rankings 2023: overall top 10

Western Sydney University

Australia

1

University of Manchester

United Kingdom

2

Queen’s University

Canada

3

Universiti Sains Malaysia

Malaysia

4

University of Tasmania

Australia

5

Arizona State University (Tempe)

United States

6

University of Alberta

Canada

=7

RMIT University

Australia

=7

Aalborg University

Denmark

=9

University of Victoria

Canada

=9

Western University

Canada

=9

University of Auckland

New Zealand

12

University of Glasgow

United Kingdom

13

Université Laval

Canada

=14

University of Technology Sydney

Australia

=14

Yonsei University (Seoul campus)

South Korea

=14

Chulalongkorn University

Thailand

17

University of Exeter

United Kingdom


Source: Times Higher Education (THE)

The full results of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 202 can be found here

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