Top universities leading climate change mitigation in 2024

University Impact Rankings for UN SDG 13: Climate Action

Times Higher Education has assessed and ranked 924 universities from 103 countries/regions on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 13: climate action. These institutions are recognised for their efforts in addressing climate-related hazards, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing adaptive capacity through robust research and effective campus policies. By integrating climate change mitigation into their operations and programmes, these universities not only lead in risk reduction but shape national and international policies on climate resilience.

These leading universities are committed to pioneering sustainable practices that significantly lower their environmental impact. Through educational programmes, community engagement and strategic commitments to becoming carbon neutral, they play a pivotal role in combating climate change and fostering a sustainable future.

Summary of findings

The ranking for SDG 13: climate action is led by Australia’s University of Tasmania for the third year in a row. UNSW Sydney also retains its spot at second, and Simon Fraser University in Canada rises to third (from fifth last year).

The highest-ranked newcomer is King’s College London in the UK at 39th place. 

The UK has the most institutions in this table (49), followed by Turkey with 46.

Methodology

Our methodology for SDG 13: climate action includes detailed indicators that measure universities' impact on climate action and sustainability:

Research on climate action (27%)

• Number of studies focusing on climate change mitigation, natural disasters, reducing the impact of climate-related hazards and developing solutions to enhance global and local adaptive capacities
• Proportion of climate-related papers in top journals
• Field-weighted citation impact of climate-related research

Low-carbon energy use (27%)

• Track low-carbon energy used by university
• Proportion of electricity from low-carbon sources

Environmental education measures (23%)

• Programmes and initiatives that promote environmental awareness and action among the local community
• Collaboration with governments and NGOs on issues associated with the climate crisis, including planning for climate change disasters and climate adaptation

Commitment to carbon-neutral university (23%)

• University’s pledge and strategic plans to achieve carbon neutrality within a set timeframe

The Impact Rankings are inherently dynamic: they are growing rapidly each year as many more universities seek to demonstrate their commitment to delivering the SDGs by joining our database; and they allow institutions to demonstrate rapid improvement year-on-year, by introducing clear new policies, for example, or by providing clearer and more open evidence of their progress. Therefore, we expect and welcome regular change in the ranked order of institutions (and we discourage year-on-year comparisons) as universities continue to drive this urgent agenda.

View the overall Impact Rankings 2024

Read our analysis of the Impact Rankings 2024 results

Download a free copy of the Impact Rankings 2024 digital report

Register to participate in next year’s Impact Rankings

To raise your university’s global profile with Times Higher Education, contact branding@timeshighereducation.com

To unlock the data behind THE’s Impact Rankings and access a range of analytical and benchmarking tools, click here