The University performed strongly in the QS World University Rankings Sustainability ranking 15th globally overall and sixth for social impact. 

The QS rankings feature 2001 institutions across 108 locations internationally, including 38 institutions in Australia. 

The University of Sydney ranks second nationally.

The methodology for the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026 is based on university performance across three categories (using multiple performance indicators): environmental impact, social impact and governance.

With a perfect score of 100 Sydney continues to rank first in the world for the impact of education indicator, achieving that rank for the third year in a row. 

Sydney ranks 10th globally for the environmental education indicator and 24th for environmental impact. 

“Our continuing excellence in the QS sustainability rankings is a credit to all our staff and reflects our deep strategic commitment to sustainability,” said Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott.

“Evidence of our commitment includes this year publishing a climate-related financial disclosure, an Australian first that sets a new benchmark in climate governance and emissions transparency across the higher education sector. 

“Our Net Zero Institute brings together more than 150 researchers to develop practical decarbonisation solutions, while our Sydney Horizon Fellowships are a $100 million investment in supporting early-to-mid career researchers who focus on sustainability, climate change and health.”

Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Julie Cairney said, “Some of the most recent research examples of our essential engagement with the broad-ranging goals of sustainability include: 

• an international team co-led by a University researcher warning of a hidden crisis undermining global biodiversity and carbon targets: the quiet abandonment of conservation projects
• researchers at the University and start-up Dewpoint Innovations developing a nanoengineered polymer paint-like coating that can passively cool buildings and capture water directly from the air – all without energy input
• an international partnership to create a next-generation thermal comfort index that recognises individual differences and supports fairer, more energy-efficient workplaces worldwide
• the University’s Heat and Health Research Centre contributing to the global report of the 2025 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change  
• a University-led study which identified low-cost and scalable strategies that can reduce heat stress and protect worker productivity in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector – an industry employing over 4 million people, most of them women
• Australian researchers creating tiny compartments to help supercharge photosynthesis, potentially boosting wheat and rice yields while slashing water and nitrogen use.