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Sydney shifts position in global impact rankings

28 April 2022
52nd in the world, 9th in Australia
As more than 280 additional institutions join the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings this year the University of Sydney has seen a change in its global position.

The University has shifted position in the Times Higher Education Impact rankings which measure an institution's research, stewardship, outreach and teaching against UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The University was one of 450 institutions across 76 countries worldwide to participate in the inaugural impact rankings in 2019, ranking 25th in the world. For the last two years the University ranked second in the world before this year placing 52nd out of 1406 institutions.

The Impact rankings measure how an institution’s research, stewardship, outreach and teaching delivers against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a blueprint to achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.

The 17 goals encompass strategies to improve health and education, improve inequality, and spur economic growth, while tackling climate change and preserving our natural environment.  

It is encouraging to see more institutions taking part in the rankings which demonstrates how the university sector is committed to achieving a sustainable future.
Professor Kathy Belov, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

“As with some other institutions who chose to participate from the start we have seen a change in our position despite only minor shifts in our scores. We look forward to continuing to engage in this ranking and striving for excellence, as we learn from the approach of other institutions,” said Professor Kathy Belov, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

“It is encouraging to see more institutions taking part in the rankings which demonstrates how the university sector is committed to achieving a sustainable future. While rankings can’t capture every possible factor they are an important tool in helping us understand how our efforts are perceived globally.”

All institutions must submit for SDG 17 which explores how universities teach the next generation to adopt sustainability, and three other SDGs of their choice. The University of Sydney submitted for 10 other SDGs in addition to SDG 17 and experienced a six percent drop in its overall score. We had six out of our 11 SDGs rated in the top 50 in the world.

The University continued to perform best in:

The University’s sustainability targets include:

  • net zero emissions by 2030
  • zero waste to landfill by 2030
  • 30 percent reduction on potable water use by 2030
  • minimum five-star Green Star rating for new buildings, and four-star Green Star rating for all complete building refurbishments
  • introduction of sustainable procurement practices to reduce waste and increase social sustainability.

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