University among top 70 Global Institutions working towards UN Sustainable Development Goals

Bangor University has today (22 April 2020) been ranked among the top 70 global universities, for their work toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This is a major achievement and recognition for the north Wales institution which is working towards becoming ‘a Sustainable University’.

The University is the only Welsh institution listed and is among 15 other UK Universities in the Impact Ranking’s own defined top 70.

The University is already ranked tenth in the world for its commitment to sustainability in another international league table of environmentally friendly institutions.  

The 2020 THE Impact Rankings, place the University 68th among 766 institutions.

This pioneering initiative recognizes universities’ work to consider their social and economic impact a based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The ranking also places the University seventh worldwide, for Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12).

The University has reduced its total energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Over the last year the University has generated less waste, increased its reuse, recycling and composting, sent zero waste to landfill, increased its energy recovery from waste and decreased its emissions from waste – all evidenced in their Sustainability report, which can be found online.

The University is also highlighted at 23rd for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This recognizes the wide range of collaborative initiatives addressing sustainability issues ranging from local to global. As well as many research and innovation projects, the University co-ordinates RCE Cymru the Regional Centre of Expertise Wales for the well-being of future generations. This is part of a world-wide United Nations network of centres addressing the global SDGs.

Welcoming the latest news, Professor Iwan Davies, Bangor University’s Vice-Chancellor commented:

“We are committed to making a positive difference to the world we live in, not just by producing graduates ready to follow new careers, but in every aspect of our activities. We have a long-standing commitment to improving the environmental, social, ethical, cultural and financial aspects of all our operations. We constantly review our activities, and look for further improvement in our teaching, research and knowledge transfer, our work towards gender equality, to sustainability to realize the Sustainable Development Goals.

This impact ranking shows that we are on the right track and recognizes the great work of our Sustainability Lab who collaborate with students and staff across the University to achieve our aims and evidence this achievement year on year.” Dr Einir Young, the University’s Director of Sustainability added:

“The United Nations has set us all a challenge to achieve the goals by 2030. Bangor University’s contribution to this local and global effort is an example of team-work across the University’s community of staff and students in partnership with our local and global community (Goal 17).

We are particularly pleased to see that we are in the top ten for our commitment to responsible resource use and the circular economy. We place great importance on gender equality (Goal 5) and ensuring fairness for all (Goal 10) and for the first time this year we were assessed on our contribution to global peace, justice and strong institutions (Goal 16).

By participating in such assessments, we are able to learn from other universities around the world. It provides a great framework for working together to collectively respond to critical global issues and build a better future.”

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/rankings/impact/2020

Publication date: 22 April 2020