The rankings measure progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) has been assessed positively in several areas of sustainable development, as it is placed in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for the first time.
Following an evaluation against the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Edinburgh Napier scored 76.1 out of 100, achieving an overall rank of 301-400 out of 1,963 participating institutions.
Set out by the UN in 2015, the 17 SDGs are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership.
They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
Running for a sixth year, the THE Impact Rankings show how the university sector has a significant influence in meeting these global aims.
They use standardised indicators to provide balanced comparisons across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.
THE awarded a particularly positive rating for ENU’s progress in addressing three of the Goals: Sustainable Cities & Communities, Good Health & Wellbeing, and Responsible Consumption & Production – while also achieving a score of 82.1 in the mandatory Partnership for the Goals section.
Joining the rankings for the first time is part of ENU’s commitment within its University Strategy to show progress against the SDGs.
Professor Gary Hutchison, Chair of Edinburgh Napier University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy Group, said: “We are delighted to have joined the THE Impact Rankings, which demonstrate the work we are doing to address significant global challenges.
“Our inaugural position in the standings is an acknowledgement of these efforts, which are being made right across the Edinburgh Napier University community.
“We welcome the recognition of the positive difference we are making, particularly around partnerships, sustainability, and wellbeing – and we are already identifying areas where we can increase that impact further.”
The full 2024 THE Impact Rankings are available here.