- 1,600+ universities from 116 countries join Times Higher Education's relaunch of the Sustainability Impact Network.
- Universities will be rated on their progress toward UN SDGs in areas like teaching, research, and resource management.
- The network includes a significant number of universities from low- and middle-income countries, fostering global sustainability efforts.
More than 1,600 universities from around the world have joined Times Higher Education's newly relaunched Sustainability Impact Network, with the institutions set to feature in the first edition of the Sustainability Impact Ratings this summer. These ratings, which measure universities' progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will be based on their performance across key areas such as teaching, research, resource stewardship, and outreach.
The participating universities span 116 countries, with Asia leading in representation, contributing 962 universities to the network. Europe follows with 332 universities, while Africa has 202. Within Asia, the Philippines boasts the highest participation with 162 universities, followed by India with 114, Turkey with 76, Thailand with 69, and Indonesia with 67. In Europe, the UK leads the charge with 59 universities, closely followed by Ukraine with 56. Algeria is the African country with the most universities in the network, totaling 54.
A notable aspect of this year's participation is the significant presence of universities from low- and lower-middle-income countries. In fact, more than a third of the institutions in the network (592 universities) are based in these regions. This marks a growing global commitment to sustainability and a recognition of the role that universities play in driving progress on the SDGs.
Phil Baty, THE's Chief Global Affairs Officer, expressed his excitement about the initiative, saying, “When we relaunched the old Impact Rankings last year as the Sustainability Impact Ratings, underpinned by a new international membership community, the Sustainability Impact Network, we could only dream of the inspirational level of global response that the initiative eventually achieved". He went on to explain that the expansion of the network has not only established a stable and sustainable future for the ratings but has also created the world’s largest university membership network, which is dedicated to advancing a sustainable future.
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The Sustainability Impact Ratings are designed to provide universities with valuable insights into their performance on key sustainability metrics, allowing them to highlight their contributions to global challenges. Universities that have subscribed to the new Sustainability Impact Network are eligible to participate in the rankings, and only these institutions will receive a score and position when the 2026 results are published in June.
The impact of the initiative is already visible. A total of 19 countries have increased their participation compared to last year, with notable growth from the Philippines, which now has 121 participating universities, and Vietnam, which has seen an increase from 16 to 19. Countries like Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, and Tajikistan have also joined the network for the first time.
Baty emphasized that the primary focus of the network will be the sharing and reporting of unique performance data. This data will not only help universities showcase their social and economic contributions but will also promote the exchange of best practices, driving continuous improvements in sustainability performance. Furthermore, the network will give universities a stronger voice in shaping the UN's sustainable development agenda.
Despite the expanded network, the methodology for the ratings remains the same as last year. The ratings will include 18 tables, with an overall league table and separate rankings for each of the 17 SDGs. Network members will receive detailed insights into their performance, as well as marketing materials to promote their achievements. Additionally, they will gain access to special webinars, a monthly newsletter, and opportunities to connect with other institutions through events and activities. Support from THE’s data experts, who will validate and assess all documentary evidence submitted, will also be available.
With this broad and diverse network of universities, the Sustainability Impact Ratings are set to become a key tool in advancing global sustainability efforts, while recognizing the significant role universities play in shaping a better future.
