University earns double top ranking for sustainability
27 October 2022
The University of Auckland's work towards sustainability has been recognised in the two main ranking frameworks for global universities.
A strong performance in the newly established QS Sustainability rankings of universities globally announced today has earned Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, a top ten ranking from the two main organisations assessing universities for their progress towards sustainability.
In the inaugural Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Sustainability rankings released today, the University has earned tenth place in the world. QS, which does the World University Rankings, launched the new framework to show how universities are taking action to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges.
The University is ranked first in New Zealand in both environmental impact and social impact. It is ranked fifth globally for sustainable education and sixth globally for impact of education, placing Auckland in the company of the world’s top universities, which include American Ivy League universities, the United Kingdom’s Russell Group and the Group of Eight, Australia’s leading universities.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater said, “This is a significant achievement for Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, and acknowledges the focus and effort of many staff and students across the University.
“We are in one of the world’s most diverse cities and to reflect this, our research and teaching are underpinned by principles of cultural identity, social justice, ecological awareness, and civic duty.”
The QS rankings ranked 700 universities worldwide, including 169 in the Asia Pacific region, from an initial review of 1,300 universities.
Earlier this year, the University was ranked sixth in the 2022 THE (Times Higher Education) University Impact Rankings, which assess universities against the Sustainable Development Goals. Having held the top place for the first two years of this ranking, Auckland has remained in the top ten since.
The University of Auckland strategy (Taumata Teitei) is underpinned by a commitment to sustainable ecosystems and prioritises research and teaching that support this nationally and internationally.
QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2023 Top Ten
| 2023 | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California, Berkeley | United States |
| 2 | University of Toronto | Canada |
| 3 | University of British Columbia | Canada |
| 4 | University of Edinburgh | United Kingdom |
| 5= | University of New South Wales | Australia |
| 5= | University of Sydney | Australia |
| 7 | University of Tokyo | Japan |
| 8 | University of Pennsylvania | United States |
| 9 | Yale University | United States |
| 10 | Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland | New Zealand |
Media contact
Gilbert Wong
E: gilbert.wong@auckland.ac.nz