SLU improves global sustainability ranking among higher education institutions
SLU is climbing in rankings, making the top 101–200 of the 2,526 higher education institutions evaluated in The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025. This ranking focuses on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. For goal 13, Climate Action, SLU is ranked 3rd.
SLU is also placed among the top 100 for three additional goals, namely Zero Hunger (place 58), Life below Water (place 59) and Life on Land (place 67).
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings evaluates higher education institutions according to how well they are meeting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Agenda 2030. Despite the greater competition, SLU has improved it's overall ranking as well as several individual goal rankings this year.
Our scientific publications have contributed significantly to the improved ranking scores.
“I am pleased to see that SLU maintains its high ranking and has also improved in terms of our scientific contribution. We primarily use the ranking as a way to highlight our work with sustainability and Agenda 2030. We also learn from and are inspired by how other universities approach these issues”, says Ylva Hillbur, SLU’s pro vice-chancellor for international relations.
The highest individual ranking for SLU is for goal 13, Climate Action.
“It is a fantastic result, and climate issues are important for SLU,” continues Ylva Hillbur. “SLU contributes with both knowledge base, research and education, and we work on the issues within our own organization.”
As part of the work to follow up on how SLU contributes to the global goals, the university's first sustainability report was produced in 2024. The report highlights, in an inspiring and accessible way, how the work within SLU's areas of operation contributes to achieving the UN's global sustainability goals.
Facts
The 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings were the seventh to be carried out, covering a total of 2,526 higher education institutions from 130 countries/regions.
For each sustainable development goal, several criteria have been defined. Higher education institutions are awarded points based on the documentation they submit, showing the extent to which they have fulfilled those criteria.
SLU is taking part for the third time and our Environment Unit coordinated the reporting. This time, SLU chose five of the goals for assessment. An institution’s total rank is based on its three best goals and goal 17, Partnerships for the Goals.
SLU’s 2025 results for the individual SDGs:
- Zero Hunger (goal 2), ranked 58.
- Climate Action (goal 13), ranked 3.
- Life Below Water (goal 14), ranked 59.
- Life on Land (goal 15), ranked 67.
- Partnerships for the Goals (goal 17), ranked 201–300.
Of the four Swedish universities participating in this year's ranking, SLU and KTH are in the range 101–200 in the overall ranking. Umeå University and Linnaeus University are placed in the ranges 201–300 and 301–400, respectively.
With regard to goal 13, all Swedish universities have advanced rankings, with SLU coming in 3rd place, Linnaeus University in 11th place, KTH in 23rd place and Umeå University in 89th place out of a total of 1,089 universities and higher education institutions.
Contacts
Camilla Källman, Environmental Coordinator
Division of Infrastructure; SLU Environment
Telephone: +46 18 672201
E-mail: camilla.kallman@slu.se
Kalle Mälson
Environmental Manager
Division of Infrastructure; SLU Environment
Telephone: +4618671585, +46760510341
E-mail: kalle.malson@slu.se