A new report by Times Higher Education (THE) ranks Cranfield University within the global top 40 for our activities to support critical UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals focusing on cross-sector and cross-country partnerships in pursuit of the SDGs as a whole.
The ranking was awarded in the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings where Cranfield achieved an overall position in the global top 300 (201-300th out of 1591 institutions). The THE Impact Rankings demonstrate the difference a university is making in the world by working towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The rankings aim to highlight work by universities in their communities and shine a light on institutional activities and efforts not covered in other rankings.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a framework for action in a global partnership to achieve social, environmental, and economic sustainability by 2030. The 17 SDGs aim to tackle climate change, poverty, and inequality, and to develop health, education, and economic growth.
As well as being ranked within the global top 300 overall and 32nd globally for SDG17 – Partnerships for the Goals, the University also ranked 81st in the world for SDG8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Sustainability embedded across Cranfield
Cranfield’s Vice Chancellor and CEO, Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng signed the Sustainable Development Goals Accord last year, signalling the University’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Cranfield University has a deep commitment to sustainability and social development and aims to be net zero carbon by 2030 .
The University uses its own campus as a
‘living laboratory’
for technologies and new approaches that deliver social, economic, and
environmental outcomes. As part of this, a campus-wide sensor network
harvests data which facilitates research projects and is used in teaching.
Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng, said: “To achieve these positions in our
first year of entering the rankings is simply fantastic. Thank you to
everyone who supported our submission, great teamwork really has shone
through.
“Universities have a crucial role in helping to address some of the most pressing issues facing our world today. I’m really proud of the work of colleagues across the University to ensure we are at the forefront of imagining and delivering a sustainable green planet and these rankings are testament to this.”
Results add to a long list of achievements
The latest ranking success adds to a long list of achievements for Cranfield University which has been awarded the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize six times.
Cranfield University has also been ranked among the world’s top universities in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.
