Northumbria in top 35 universities worldwide for sustainability

Northumbria University is officially one of the best universities in the world for sustainability, according to the latest Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings, published today.

Northumbria is now ranked 31st in the world – its highest ever position – from an assessment of more than 1,600 universities from 116 countries.

The league table is the only global ranking measuring how institutions worldwide advance sustainability in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

After climbing a total of 22 places in the league table since last year, Northumbria is now the 4th most sustainable university in the UK, and the best for sustainability in the North East of England.

Northumbria scored particularly strongly in two categories, where it now ranks within the top 5 in the world.

Under the SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Northumbria ranked 3rd globally thanks to its work to reduce food waste. Initiatives underway at Northumbria include the OLIO scheme which connects the University’s catering outlets with the local community to share and donate leftover food, and the support of Too Good to Go, an app that allows users to purchase meals that would have otherwise gone to waste at a reduced price.

Northumbria also ranked 4th under SDG15: Life on Land which recognises how we protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Northumbria delivers educational programmes regarding the sustainable management of land for agriculture and tourism and the University’s Biodiversity Action Plan is being implemented across campus.

The University also climbed 57 places to 16th place for SDG16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, thanks to its collaboration with Newcastle City Council to address issues including social mobility, skills development and student-resident relations.

Dr Paul Steadman, Sustainability Manager at Northumbria University, said: “Climbing to 4th in the UK and 31st globally is an incredible milestone for Northumbria. It shows that sustainability isn’t just a policy on paper, it is built into our daily research, teaching and campus operations.”

Professor John Woodward, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International and the University’s executive lead for sustainability, added: “This huge jump in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings is a massive credit to our staff and students who work together every day to drive real, measurable change. Our students are not responsible for the sustainability problems that face the world, but will help us deliver the future solutions we need through their Northumbria education.”

Northumbria University’s leading work in environmental sustainability includes areas of academic research excellence, as well as projects to reduce environmental impact.

Researchers are working to deliver impactful projects that address global development challenges, tackle hunger and poverty, promote gender equality and reduce inequalities, create affordable, clean energy and sustainable cities and communities, and build effective and accountable organisations which provide justice to all.

A major initiative to repair, reuse or recycle IT equipment, was singled out by the National Quality Assurance (NQA) who assessed Northumbria against internationally recognised environmental standards and found the University’s approach to managing its environmental impact met the highest level of accreditation available to universities.

More than 18 tonnes of equipment – the equivalent weight of one and a half double-decker buses – being given a second life in just one year. Over 150 devices were refurbished and redistributed to students facing financial hardship as well as to the North Tyneside Learning Trust to re-engage young people with their education.

Discover more about how Northumbria is working towards a sustainable future.