Sustainability celebrated with global top ten positions in THE Impact Ratings

The University’s world-class work to support global sustainability has been recognised in an international league table.

Exeter has been ranked inside the world’s top five in three categories of the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, recognising its commitment to conserving both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and to ensuring sustainable consumption.

The University was placed joint 20^th overall, out of more than 1,600 higher education institutions assessed for this year’s table. This translates to a position of 3rd in the UK and 4th in Europe.

The rankings, established in 2019, measure universities’ overall impact through their work towards meeting the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Exeter achieved an overall score of 95.3 out of 100, which resulted in its rise of eight places from last year.

Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, said: “These rankings confirm the sustained excellence and impact of Exeter’s mission to create a greener, healthier and fairer future for all.  Across the board, our community is delivering innovative solutions that meet the urgent societal challenges framed by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We should all be very proud that our University sits in the world’s top 20 for our commitment to addressing key global challenges, and that we are able to use our knowledge, resources and expertise to make the world a better place.”

The University was ranked 2^nd in the world for SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; and 4^th in the world for both SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land (the latter representing a rise of 44 places).

Its commitment to taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts – SDG 13 – saw Exeter ranked 14^th in the world, and it was placed 16^th for SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The remaining SDGs were ranked:

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – 47^th
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Joint 60^th
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Joint 65^th
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – 72^nd
• SDG 1: No Poverty – 101-200^th

The overall ranking is based on individual data for SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals, plus the best three results on the remaining SDGs. For more details of this year’s THE Sustainability Impact Ratings, visit their website.

The results follow last week’s announcement that Exeter had achieved its highest-ever position in the QS World University Rankings.

The University’s commitment to sustainability is evident at all levels, including the way it has embedded it across the curriculum; its world-leading research on climate and related impacts; and the way it manages its estate and supply chain.

The institution’s advocacy for a greener, healthier and fairer future also drives its Green Futures Solutions programme, and its annual Exeter Climate Forum.

A limited number of places for this year’s event are available for journalists. To request a place, please contact the University of Exeter press office: pressoffice@exeter.ac.uk