Sustainability rankings
We are ranked in the top 30 universities in the world for sustainability.
THE Impact Ratings 2026
We rate top in Scotland, second in the UK and third in Europe. The ratings benchmark performance of universities against the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They consider commitment to addressing the world's most pressing challenges, including environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth, and partnerships.
We are rated in the world’s top 50 in eight SDGs, and in the world’s top 25 for four SDGs:
- 10th globally in SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation
- 11th globally in SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production
- 22nd globally in SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals
"It is a real pleasure to see the University of Glasgow once again recognised as a global leader in sustainable development in the Times Higher Education Impact Ratings, maintaining our place in the world’s top 20.This sustained performance over the past five years reflects both the depth of our commitment and the strength of our leadership in tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing society today. The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals continue to provide a powerful shared framework for our work. Across the University, we are bringing together our research, education and innovation to drive meaningful change, here in Glasgow and around the world. Professor Andy Schofield, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow
As a reflection of our commitment to the SDGs, we:
- were the first in the UK to declare we would divest from fossil fuels within a decade
- were the first in Scotland to declare a Climate Emergency
- are committed to a significant plan of action to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030
QS Sustainability Rankings 2026
We rank 27th in the world, 15th in Europe and 11th in the UK. The QS Sustainability Rankings are global university rankings that evaluate institutions on their environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices. In particular, the University of Glasgow excels in Social Impact, achieving an impressive 3rd place worldwide.