Global Universities Embrace Sustainability: A New Era of Impact Measurement
More than 1,600 universities worldwide are now part of Times Higher Education’s Sustainability Impact Network, signaling a significant shift towards prioritizing and measuring contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This network will be reflected in the inaugural Sustainability Impact Ratings, launching this summer.
Asia Leads the Charge in Sustainable Higher Education
Asia is at the forefront of this movement, representing the largest contingent of participating universities with 962 institutions. This represents followed by Europe (332 universities) and Africa (202 universities). The Philippines, India, Turkey, Thailand, and Indonesia are the most represented countries, demonstrating a strong regional commitment to sustainability.
The growing participation from Asian nations – including a notable increase in institutions from the Philippines and Vietnam – highlights a regional focus on addressing the SDGs. Four countries – Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, and Tajikistan – are participating for the first time, expanding the global reach of the initiative.
The Rise of the Sustainability Impact Network
The launch of the Sustainability Impact Network marks a pivotal moment for Times Higher Education. Previously known as the Impact Rankings, the revamp aims to foster closer collaboration with participating universities, providing enhanced support, data insights, and opportunities to showcase their sustainability efforts. Only universities subscribing to the network were eligible to submit data for the 2026 ratings.
Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer, emphasized the initiative’s success, stating that the network has develop into the world’s largest university membership network dedicated to delivering a sustainable future.
Focus on Data and Collaboration
The network’s core function revolves around the sharing and reporting of performance data. This data will be used to celebrate university achievements, share best practices, and drive improvements in sustainability performance. The network aims to amplify universities’ voices in shaping the UN’s sustainable development agenda.
The methodology for the Sustainability Impact Ratings remains consistent with previous years, encompassing 18 tables – an overall league table and individual tables for each of the 17 SDGs. These ratings assess universities’ progress across teaching, research, resource stewardship, and outreach.
Increased Participation from Diverse Regions
A significant portion of participating universities – over a third (592) – are located in low or lower-middle-income countries. This demonstrates a broadening commitment to sustainability across diverse economic contexts. Nineteen countries increased their participation compared to the 2025 Impact Rankings.
Looking Ahead: Trends in University Sustainability
The growth of the Sustainability Impact Network and Ratings points to several emerging trends in higher education:
- Increased Accountability: Universities are facing growing pressure from students, faculty, and stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and measure their impact.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: The emphasis on data sharing and analysis will enable universities to identify areas for improvement and track progress towards sustainability goals.
- Regional Collaboration: The strong representation from Asia highlights the potential for regional collaboration and knowledge sharing in addressing sustainability challenges.
- Focus on the SDGs: The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals will continue to serve as a guiding framework for university sustainability initiatives.
The 2026 Launch Event
The Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 will be officially launched at the THE Global Sustainable Development Congress in Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2026.
FAQ
Q: What are the Sustainability Impact Ratings?
A: They measure universities’ progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across teaching, research, stewardship, and outreach.
Q: Who can participate in the Sustainability Impact Ratings?
A: Only universities that subscribe to the Sustainability Impact Network are eligible to submit data and receive a published score.
Q: What is the Sustainability Impact Network?
A: It’s a membership community created by Times Higher Education to foster collaboration and support universities in their sustainability efforts.
Q: Is the methodology for the ratings changing?
A: No, the methodology remains unchanged this year.
Did you know? More than a third of participating universities are based in low or lower-middle income countries, demonstrating a global commitment to sustainability.
Pro Tip: Universities looking to improve their sustainability performance should focus on collecting and analyzing data related to the SDGs.
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