New Zealand universities have achieved a remarkable feat by topping the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024 for sustainability stewardship. The rankings, which evaluate universities’ contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainability Goals (UN SDGs), have recognized New Zealand’s higher education institutions for their world-leading approach to sustainability and equality. With an average score of 85.3, New Zealand outperformed Australia (84.4) and Hong Kong (81.9), securing the top position in this prestigious global assessment. All eight of New Zealand’s universities participated in the rankings, showcasing their collective commitment to sustainable development.
Now in its sixth year, the THE Impact Rankings are the only global ranking system that measures universities’ impact on the UN SDGs. These rankings assess universities’ dedication to sustainability across four key areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching. New Zealand’s universities excelled particularly in stewardship, scoring highly on various indicators, such as food waste tracking and the availability of sustainable food choices on campuses (SDG 2), the proportion of senior female academics (SDG 5), water reuse policies and measurements (SDG 6), energy efficiency in building renovations (SDG 7), and guaranteeing a living wage (SDG 8).
Additionally, New Zealand universities demonstrated significant contributions to policies addressing poverty (SDG 1), collaboration with health institutions (SDG 3), community programs on energy efficiency (SDG 7), cooperative planning for climate change disasters (SDG 13), and providing expert advice to the government (SDG 16). These achievements highlight the comprehensive and holistic approach adopted by New Zealand’s higher education institutions towards sustainability and social responsibility.
Linda Sissons, the acting chief executive of Education New Zealand (ENZ), emphasized the role of Kaitiakitanga, a Māori concept of guardianship, in guiding New Zealand’s education system. “Kaitiakitanga instills a deep sense of connection to our land and a commitment to ensuring its health and vitality for future generations,” Sissons stated. She added that this principle informs the universities’ approach to resource management, conservation, and sustainable development, which significantly contributes to the UN SDGs, particularly in areas such as food security, bioenergy, sustainable urban development, and climate change.
The 2024 Impact Rankings evaluated a record 2,152 universities from 125 countries and regions, measuring progress for each of the 17 individual SDGs and overall contributions. This comprehensive assessment underscores the global recognition of New Zealand universities’ dedication to sustainability and their pioneering role in driving meaningful change.
Impact of Indian Universities
Indian universities also made significant strides in the 2024 THE Impact Rankings. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham achieved an impressive 81st rank, excelling in areas such as quality education (SDG 4), good health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17). Additionally, four Indian higher education institutions—JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Lovely Professional University (LPU), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), and Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences—were ranked in the 101-200 band, showcasing their commitment to the UN SDGs.
Among the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), IIT Gandhinagar was placed in the 301-400 band category, while Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences secured a position in the 201-300 band category. Amity University was ranked in the 401-600 band category, reflecting the diverse and growing impact of Indian universities on sustainable development.
The achievements of universities in New Zealand and India in the 2024 THE Impact Rankings highlight the global momentum towards integrating sustainability into higher education. These institutions are not only shaping the future of their respective countries but also contributing to global efforts to address pressing environmental and social challenges. Their commitment to the UN SDGs sets a benchmark for universities worldwide, demonstrating that higher education can play a pivotal role in driving sustainable development and fostering a more equitable and resilient world.
