University of Leicester celebrates top 3% global sustainability ranking
The University of Leicester is celebrating global sustainability success on Earth Day after being ranked 21st out of 766 universities in the world, in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking, placing it in the top 3%.
As part of the ranking For Goal 15, Life on Land, the University is first in the world for using its academic excellence to shape its commitment to conserving the biodiversity of the local land and buildings as part of its Biodiversity Action Plan, by protecting natural habitats and encouraging wildlife.
These are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s THE University Impact Rankings have seen the University of Leicester rise 16 places from 2019 with a huge increase in the number of institutions involved (from 467 to 766) so the increase represents an even greater significance.
Speaking today, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, said:
“I am incredibly proud of our achievements today, especially the collective commitment shown by colleagues towards working towards a sustainable future here in Leicester. To be recognised as a world-leading institution is a wonderful achievement.
“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity. Universities have a clear role in understanding the complex environmental challenges we face and in identifying solutions.
“Our commitment, is to not only support the Sustainable Development Goals through our teaching and research, but to embody these goals in our internal practices, policies and procedures. This marks an important step on our journey towards a carbon-neutral future.”
The Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings are the world’s first global attempt to document evidence of Universities’ impact on society, in addition to research and teaching performance.
As one of the first UK universities to sign the Sustainable Development Goals Accord, the University of Leicester was also first to map our academic contribution to the SDGS and one of the only global universities to be a supporter of the UN Global Compact.
Dr Sandra Lee, Social Impact Lead at the University of Leicester said:
“The University of Leicester has demonstrated huge enthusiasm for the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, and this ranking allows us to demonstrate a convergence of academic expertise, teaching and operations to support them. I am particularly delighted to also rank in the top 3% for Goal 17, Partnership for the Goals, that measures our influence on global policy development, collaborative working and educating our students on SDGs”