NEWS The QS Sustainability Ranking is an annual ranking of the world's universities that tries to measure the universities based on the UN's global sustainability goals. Umeå University climbs over two hundred places compared to the outcome last year to rank 214 in the world and 48 in Europe, out of a total of around 1,750 ranked universities.
Hans Wiklund, University Director at Umeå University. Photo: Mattias Pettersson.
"Without placing too much emphasis on exact rankings, it is gratifying that this year we are taking a big step up in the rankings. It shows that our systematic environmental and climate work is producing results. I think that our strength as a university is that we always want to start from current knowledge, and that we have competent and committed staff and students who want to contribute to sustainability and climate through wise choices and decisions," says Hans Wiklund, University Director at Umeå University.
The QS Sustainability Ranking ranks universities in the world based on the UN's global sustainability goals, and divides the results into three main areas; Environmental impact - the university's research and education in the environment and climate, and the university's own climate work. Social impact - the institution's research, education and work in equality, health, collaboration and similar areas. The third part is called Governance and focuses on the university's work with transparency and attitudes.
Within the three, Umeå University increased significantly in Environmental Impact, where, for example, Environmental Research rose to position 25 in the world compared to last year's 276. In the main area of Social Impact, Umeå University also climbed more than 100 places to position 237 compared to last year's 355. There, the Health & Wellbeing category stands out with a 30th place in the world. And in the third, Governance, we are ranked for the first time and place 226.
Lisa Redin, Environmental coordinator at Property Management Office at Umeå University. Photo: Hans Karlsson.
"Together with the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, the QS sustainability ranking also serves as an aid in our climate and environmental work. It highlights our strengths and the areas of improvement we need to focus on in the future. ‘The fact that we have drawn up a climate budget during the year and will follow it up with a climate report from 2022 onwards has played a role in our climb in the QS Sustainability Ranking this time. However, to rank higher, we need to, for instance, offer more comprehensive environmental and sustainability training to our employees," says Lisa Redin, Environmental coordinator at Property Management Office at Umeå University.
"This year, we have particularly risen in terms of social sustainability, where Student Health Service's activities, including campaigns and good communication, play a major role in the positive improvement.", says Lisa Redin.
In the list of Swedish universities, Umeå University is ranked sixth out of the 16 ranked Swedish universities, here is the full list of Swedish universities. Read the full QS Sustainability Ranking.