The University of Manchester has been ranked first in the world for progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings.
The result places Manchester at the top of a global field of 1,603 universities from 114 countries and territories. It is also the eighth consecutive year that the University has ranked in the global top ten, making it the only institution to achieve that distinction since the rankings were launched in 2019.
The THE Sustainability Impact Ratings assess how universities are helping to address major global challenges through their research, teaching, operations and partnerships, measured against the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Manchester is one of the few elite global universities (40th in the QS World University Rankings 2027) to also consistently rank in the top ten in both the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings (formally known as the THE Impact Rankings) and QS World Sustainability Rankings. This demonstrates not only the high standard of teaching and research at Manchester, but its positive impact on the world's most pressing issues.
This year, the University ranked first for Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), which has been a key focus through initiatives like Unit M and the University of Manchester Innovation Factory, which propel spinouts and patented work. And our research platforms, Digital Futures, Healthier Futures, Sustainable Futures and Creative Manchester, bring together people, ideas and infrastructure to boost civic engagement and societal impact.
The University also ranked first individually for Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Life Below Water (SDG 14) and Life on Land (SDG 15), in recognition of the many projects across the University focused on these areas.
As of September 2025, the University has supported the development of a major new solar farm, meaning 65% of its electricity demand will be matched from this renewable source - halving the University's electricity carbon footprint. The University's target is to reach zero direct carbon emissions by 2038.
The interdisciplinary work of the Global Development Institute on projects such as Sustainable Forest Transitions, Just Observation for Conservation and the African Cities Research Consortium are based on international research partnerships addressing some of the world's greatest development challenges.
And its commitment to social responsibility, public and civic engagement is evidenced through four world-leading cultural institutions, commitment to co-creation through citizen and patient panels and engagement programmes such as the UNESCO Great Science Share for Schools and Universally Manchester Festival.
The University of Manchester has recently announced its new strategy for the next decade, From Manchester for the world, where our world-leading commitment to social responsibility sits as one of our five foundations. At home in Manchester, but with a global outlook, the University is striving to connect students to skills, community to ideas, and research to solutions that drive inclusive growth locally and scale globally over the next decade.
Fuelling the University's bold ambitions for the next decade is a global fundraising and volunteering campaign, Challenge Accepted, which will help the University to continue to deliver real world change on issues such as climate, inequity and health. To find out more, and about ways you can contribute, visit the website.
