The University of Sydney & UNSW have equally outperformed 33 other Australian institutions to take the number one spot in the new QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2023.
Notably, both education institutions were also ranked equally as the world’s 5th most sustainable for accelerating the pace of environmental and social change.
There were two categories to the QS Sustainability ranking: an Environmental Impact category, and a Social Impact category. Within each of these categories there were also specific indicators including Equality, Environment and Employment & Opportunity.
UNSW performed particularly well in the āEnvironmentalā indicator, showing a strong strategy and operations for an environmentally sustainable future. This reflects the Universityās commitment and action taken towards environmental impact alleviation.
The University also performed well in the āEmployment & Opportunitiesā indicator, which measures a universityās success in propelling graduates into strong careers and having strong connections with employers.
UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Professor Eileen BaldryĀ said, āTodayās result reflects the passion of our students, staff, and university partners in having a positive impact on the world.
āUNSW has undertaken many initiatives to increase the pace of environmental and social change, such as being the first university in Australia to haveĀ 100 per cent of its electricity supplied by solar PVĀ power, announcing it willĀ divest from fossil fuel assets by 2025, and implementing a 2030 water-use efficiency target.ā
The University of Sydney ranked fifth globally for the overall Social ImpactĀ category, the University also ranked third globally and first in Australia in theĀ EqualityĀ indicator, with a near perfect score of 99.8 out of 100. This ranking was driven byĀ policies and programs to address equity, diversity and inclusion,Ā researchĀ toĀ propel workplace gender equalityĀ and the recent appointments ofĀ several senior female executives.
In the overallĀ Environmental Impact category, The University of Sydney placed 11thĀ globally and is among the top 20 in two of this categoryās indicators. The Universityās ambitiousĀ Sustainability StrategyĀ focuses on four areas: enriching lives through research and education; enabling resilient places and a responsible footprint; empowering good governance and coordination; and caring for the country and embracing multiple knowledge systems.
The acknowledgment comes as the University launches a newĀ Sustainability MajorĀ exploring diverse perspectives on sustainability, open to students from 2023.
āWe are building a generation of students who will learn personal, social and professional skills that contribute to the development of a sustainable future.Ā Starting from next year, these new students will be tomorrowās leaders, equipped to generate creative and adaptive solutions to complex socioecological sustainability problems,ā said Vice-Chancellor and President,Ā Professor Mark Scott.
āWe put sustainability at the heart of our campus operations, environments and engagement activities and we welcomed the opportunity to participate in these inaugural rankings to demonstrate accountability and transparency in our broad and global commitment to sustainability. This commitment includes enriching lives through research and education, and creatingĀ resilient places and a responsible environmental footprint.ā
All campuses areĀ powered by 100% renewable electricity and The University of Sydney is helping Australian businesses implement net zero emissions technologies,Ā advising governments on climate changeĀ and āblack summerā bushfires, and pioneering green technologies, including a novel way toĀ turn plastic waste into an asset.
These rankings also place The University of Sydney among the worldās top five institutions for Impact of Education, where it received its second highest score, 99.2 out of 100. This result shines a light on research impact and quality in areas such as education, politics,Ā social policyĀ andĀ law, as well as the institutionāsĀ commitment to academic freedomĀ and the impact its alumni have in the education sector and in education policy.