University of Sussex rides high in new world sustainability rankings
Posted on behalf of: Internal Communications
Last updated: Wednesday, 26 October 2022

Sussex has been ranked third in the UK for sustainable institutions and 55th in the world for overall sustainability performance and in the first ever QS Sustainability Rankings published today (Wednesday 26 October).
Sussex's Sustainability Strategy outlines the university's vision to be one of the most sustainable universities in the world, and these rankings indicate that it is well on its way to achieving this vision.
QS World University Rankings Sustainability 2023 explained
The new QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2023 provide a framework to show how universities across the planet are taking action to tackle the world’s greatest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) challenges.
In its inaugural year, QS engaged with 700 published institutions globally, including 68 in the UK. Each university has been ranked based on environmental impact including sustainable education, sustainable research and sustainable institutions (which reflects on an institution’s strategy and operations towards an environmentally sustainable future), as well as social impact including, employment and opportunities, equality, life quality, impact of education and knowledge exchange.
Additional achievements
In addition to finishing third in the UK for sustainable institutions and 55th in the world for sustainability the rankings also found that University of Sussex was:
- Eighth in UK and joint 35th in the world for environmental impact;
- 17th in the world of sustainability institutions; and
- Ninth in UK for impact of education, which asses subjects that have the greatest potential to positively impact society
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil said:
“Environmental sustainability is central to Sussex’s mission and purpose. We already have an ambitious institutional sustainability strategy and a world leading strategic research programme on sustainability. Building on this, it is our aim for Sussex to be recognised globally as a university that is making a transformative contribution to tackling the threats to humanity and all life forms that are posed by climate change and environmental degradation.
“I am incredibly proud of the work the Sussex community has contributed to our position in the QS Sustainability rankings. But this work is only just beginning. I look forward to developing our agenda on environmental sustainability and human flourishing in the coming years, as we make Sussex a truly sustainable university.”
About sustainability at Sussex
We aim to show global leadership in demonstrating and promoting all forms of environmental, social and economic sustainability at a local, regional, national and international level. You can find out more about our sustainability strategy, policies, performance, research and how we involve staff, students and our community on our sustainability webpages.
Our students
Sussex students have been at the forefront of sustainability developments, with five new Climate Leaders working to drive change for the Sussex community.
Students have also been involved in a project to audit the university’s entire curriculum for sustainability content. As a result, the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students are now doubling down on the university’s existing commitment to ensure that sustainability is taught within all degrees as part of the curriculum reimagined process.
Get involved
Could you help drive our vision to be one of the most sustainable universities in the world?
Join our student and staff volunteer network of Sustainability Strategy Champions to:
- champion sustainability at Sussex - with a choice to focus on Waste, Travel or Climate
- raise issues of sustainability within Schools, departments, and residences
- get involved in practical events - waste audits, beach cleans, and food redistribution, among many others.
If you would like to be a Sustainability Strategy Champion, please register your interest.