Newcastle University is a World Top 100 university for sustainable development in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024, and 56th in the world in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025. Let's find out why.

In this blog, we'll be digging into what these rankings mean and why it's they’re important, as well as what being a sustainable university actually involves and the steps we're taking to safeguard the future of our planet.

Contents:

1. What do the THE Impact Rankings measure?

2. What do the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability measure?

3. What are the UNSDGs?

4. How is Newcastle University working towards the UNSDGs?

5. How is Newcastle University taking climate action?

6. How does this benefit students?

What do the THE Impact Rankings measure?

The rankings assess universities across their research, stewardship, outreach and teaching against the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

These goals - 17 in total - are a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere.

What do the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability measure?

These rankings assess universities across a range of measures, encompassing environmental impact, social impact, and governance associated with sustainability, looking for evidence of work to solve climate issues, and similarly to the THE Impact rankings, the impact across the UNSDGs.  

What are the UNSDGs?

The 17 goals were adopted by all UN member states in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The goals are:

How is Newcastle University working towards the UNSDGs?

Our action towards the UNSDGs includes:

• what and how we teach
• our research activity
• how we welcome and support our students and colleagues
• outreach to the local community
• environmental and energy improvements to our campus and operations

Through our Global Challenges Academy we share ideas and best practices with partners as we work to help realise the UNSDGs.

How is Newcastle University taking climate action?

One of the first universities to declare a climate emergency in 2019, we're investing £15 million every year into being net-zero by 2030. 

We've installed solar photovoltaic panels on 50 buildings across our campus as part of an £11m campus-wide programme, and we're reducing the energy we use with LED lighting, heating and ventilation system upgrades.

Linked to multiple buildings in campus, a combined heat and power plant in our Merz's Court Energy Centre will help reduce our carbon emissions by thousands of tonnes a year - creating a cleaner, greener campus environment,

Whenever we can, we're refurbishing rather than rebuilding facilities to lower our carbon footprint, and we're reducing waste with recycling schemes and a furniture reuse initiative.

We have divested our endowment funds from fossil fuels, and we engage with our fund managers on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance of our investments.

More information on the ways we are working towards our carbon reduction targets is detailed in our Climate Action Plan.

We're also managing our water consumption and flood risk – we’ve installed a ‘blue roof’ at the Henry Daysh Building to control how rainwater drains from the roof during a downpour. This sustainable drainage system helps reduce the impact on water quality, biodiversity and flooding.

An extra 1,500sqm of wildflower planting is helping improve the wildlife habitats of our city-centre campus and we hold the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Silver Award in recognition of the action we've taken. We've also retained our Green Flag award - the international standard for parks and green spaces.

How does this benefit students?

By embedding our commitment to sustainability in everything we do, our students learn about - and can contribute to - solutions for a fairer, stronger, more sustainable world.

Through the delivery of new teaching programmes and course modules, we're improving education for sustainability. Key messages about what we're doing to tackle the climate crisis and enhance sustainability, are included in our induction programme. Our Students' Union also offers a number of environmentally-focused societies and volunteering opportunities.

Our student-led Student Environment and Sustainability Committee (SESC) helps raise awareness of the climate emergency and gives students a voice on the sustainability improvements they want to see on campus.

You can find out more about our commitment to being a sustainable university when you explore our From blog. Alternatively, find out more about how we’re working towards a more sustainable future.