University of Nottingham is among the world’s most sustainable higher education institutions, rankings reveal

University of Nottingham is among the world’s most sustainable higher education institutions, rankings reveal

The University of Nottingham is celebrating after being recognised as one of the world’s top universities for environmental sustainability and social impact, according to two sets of rankings released this week.

The university has been placed 8th in the world’s most sustainable universities by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings, published today. The ranking, initiated by Universitas Indonesia, judges universities on their environmental commitment, initiatives and green campuses.

It comes just days after the University of Nottingham was ranked 36th out of more than 1,700 universities around the globe and 13th out of 98 universities in the UK by the 2025 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, which judges higher education institutions on their commitment and achievements in environmental impact, social impact and governance.

Professor Tom Rodden, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange and Chair of the university’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, said: “At the University of Nottingham, we place sustainability at the heart of everything that we do - from ensuring an excellent green campus experience for every one of our staff and students through to harnessing the power of our research to support progress in achieving the UN's global Strategic Development Goals. 

"I'm incredibly proud that Innovation and expertise from the University of Nottingham is making a tangible difference in achieving meaningful change for society and to find solutions to challenges affecting the lives of millions of citizens across the globe.”

The UI Green Metric ranking recognises the critical role of universities in encouraging behaviour change around economic and social issues related to sustainability and highlight the integral part they play in connecting stakeholders and communities in combating climate change. New ideas and innovations generated by university research have the power to make an impact in areas including energy and water conservation, waste recycling and green transport.

The University of Nottingham has been in the top 10 of the UI Green Metric since its inception in 2010. The index looks at 6 thematic areas of green campus and environmental sustainability and since it started has grown in participation with more than 1400 institutions from 95 countries taking part of in the ranking this year.

Gavin Scott, Head of Sustainability at the University of Nottingham, said: “These rankings are recognition of the hard work and dedication of our University community in working to tackle global challenges across our teaching, research and operational activity. Sustainability is a key component of what we do here at Nottingham and over this last year we have seen significant work done to enhance and build upon our Natural Capital, support the broader education system through our part in the delivery of the National Climate Ambassadors programme and further develop a climate conscious community. These foundations will help us move forwards to decarbonise our Estate in line with our science-based ambition, further embed sustainability into our business planning processes and teaching programmes  and  ensure that our Estate is resilient and adaptable for future climatic scenario's.”

The university strives to make its campuses green, pleasant places to work and learn, and has been awarded more consecutive Green Flags than any other university. It is also working to reduce the environmental impact of its infrastructure and activities, with a 63% cut in carbon emissions targeted by 2030. It has set a target to reduce its water consumption by 36% by 2040. Some 44% of university waste was recycled in 2022/23, with 500 tonnes of campus garden waste composted each year.

Nottingham was the first university in the Midlands to introduce carbon labels on food menus, which empower staff and students to make informed choices about their meals, helping to reduce the environmental impact of food consumption.

The university is also a founding member of the United Nations’ environmental programme, the Nature Positive Universities Alliance, which encourages members to reduce their environmental impact, nurture biodiversity and advocate for nature conservation.

The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025 ranks higher education institutions from around the globe based on their performance in three categories:

• Nottingham was ranked 70th in the world for Environmental Impact – environmental sustainability, environmental education and environmental research
• Nottingham was ranked 19th in the world for Social Impact – equality, knowledge exchange, impact of education employability and opportunities, and health and wellbeing.
• Nottingham was ranked 11th in the world for Governance – ethics, hiring practices, transparency, decision-making.

Research from the University of Nottingham is driving positive global change and helping to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems including poverty, climate change and social injustice.

Among the University of Nottingham projects making a tangible difference to the world are:
 

• The Zero Carbon Innovation Centre, funded with more than £5m support from East Midlands Freeport, which is leading the university’s vision to accelerate the translation of zero carbon research into high impact commercial and policy solutions. This year, the university secured £70m for cutting-edge research facilities, bolstered by a £14m UKRPIF award, enhancing its capabilities in electrification, hydrogen and advanced manufacturing. Its expertise in the decarbonisation of heavy transport and aviation, and strategic partnerships with industry, stimulate investment in the UK and drive economic growth
   

• Soil scientists and engineers at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China who are laying the foundations of a greener construction industry in China. Soil excavated during a highway project connecting the cities of Hangzhou and Ningbo was sustainably processed and turned into foundation materials.
   
• Innovative ways to minimise the environmental impact of the huge mining industry in Chile, which is the world’s largest copper producer and has the world’s largest reserves of lithium – both of which play a globally important role in the transition to net zero. As the leading overseas university in a US$123m project, Nottingham’s expertise in developing hydrogen, solar energy and electromobility technologies will help make Chile’s huge mining industry more sustainable, and influence further international partnerships to decarbonise mining.
   
• A collaboration spearheading Indonesia’s transition to sustainable transport, which focuses on developing an electric vehicle infrastructure and workforce in what is projected to be the world’s fourth biggest economy.

More information about how the University of Nottingham is supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals across research, education and all its operations can be found in its 2022/23 report Towards a Fairer World.