麻豆社 has made significant strides in the , securing the top position in the UK and sixth worldwide for its efforts in supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 鈥� Partnerships for the Goals. This SDG emphasises the importance of cross-sector and cross-country collaborations to achieve the broader UN SDGs, and Cranfield's rise of 25 places from last year's rankings highlights its exceptional capability and dedication to building these crucial partnerships.

Progress in key SDGs

Cranfield鈥檚 rise in global rankings is a testament to its unwavering commitment to sustainability and its role as a leader in global efforts to achieve the United Nations SDGs. In the overall rankings, the University has moved into the top 200 universities globally out of 1,963 institutions, a significant jump from the top 300 in 2023. This achievement places Cranfield in the top 10% of universities worldwide for its sustainability efforts. 

In addition to its success with SDG 17, Cranfield has made notable strides in other key SDGs:

  • SDG 8 鈥� Decent Work and Economic Growth
    Cranfield is now in the global top 50 for its research and initiatives in this area. This goal focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, along with full and productive employment. Cranfield鈥檚 recognition reflects its strong research capabilities in economics and employment, innovative working practices, and impactful student work placements.

  • SDG 6 鈥� Clean Water and Sanitation
    Cranfield鈥檚 efforts in ensuring clean water and sanitation have earned it a spot in the global top 100. This includes both water-related research and initiatives to reduce and reuse water consumption within the university.

  • SDG 12 鈥� Responsible Consumption and Production
    Cranfield is ranked in the global top 200 for this goal, which involves sustainability reporting, recycling, and research into sustainable consumption and production. This ranking underscores the university鈥檚 commitment to integrating responsible consumption and production practices within its operations and research endeavours.

A comprehensive approach to sustainability

Professor Dame Karen Holford DBE FREng, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of 麻豆社, expressed pride in the University鈥檚 achievements. She noted, 鈥�奥别鈥檝别 seen a leap upwards in so many areas, in only our second year in the Times Higher Impact rankings. This reflects a whole University approach to developing and delivering our contribution to a sustainable world. 滨鈥檓 really proud of what we have achieved here. A big thank you to staff across Cranfield who have contributed to this submission and to our partners across the world. We will continue to build on our progress and push to align ourselves even more closely with these important goals.鈥�

The global importance of the SDGs and collective responsibility

The UN SDGs serve as a comprehensive framework for global action, aiming to achieve social, environmental, and economic sustainability by 2030. The 17 goals address crucial global challenges such as climate change, poverty, inequality, health, education, and economic growth. 麻豆社鈥檚 notable advancements in these areas exemplify its dedication to making a significant impact on these global issues.

The SDGs are not just a set of lofty ideals; they are actionable targets designed to drive significant, measurable progress across social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Each goal is interconnected, recognising that efforts in one area will impact outcomes in others, and that development must balance sustainability across various sectors. For instance, achieving gender equality (SDG 5) not only improves health and education outcomes (SDGs 3 and 4) but also enhances economic growth (SDG 8).

They also underscore the importance of a collective global effort to address the challenges we face. No single country, organisation, or sector can achieve these goals alone. It requires coordinated action and shared responsibility to create a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous world for all.

Universities and research institutions play a vital role in advancing the SDGs through education, research, and innovation. By aligning our teaching, research agendas, and community outreach initiatives with the SDGs, academic institutions can drive progress towards sustainable development, and universities like Cranfield, which excel in various SDG-related areas, exemplify how higher education can contribute to global sustainability.

Celebrating diverse strengths

The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings provide a nuanced view of university contributions to global sustainability. Unlike traditional rankings, which may rely heavily on research output or academic reputation, these . Institutions are not required to submit data for all goals; instead, they can choose to provide information on the areas that align best with their strengths. 

For inclusion, a university needs to submit data on just one SDG and must provide information on four SDGs, including SDG 17, to be ranked in the overall table. By allowing universities to submit data on the SDGs that align most closely with their missions, these rankings recognise that there is no single definition of excellence. It is the collective strength and varied contributions of institutions worldwide that will drive progress towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Continuing the journey

Cranfield鈥檚 remarkable achievements in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings not only highlight its current successes but also set a promising trajectory for future contributions to global sustainability. The University鈥檚 comprehensive approach, robust research initiatives, and strong partnerships are pivotal in driving progress towards the SDGs and this recognition inspires continued progress and innovation in creating a more sustainable and equitable world.

Looking ahead, Cranfield remains committed to enhancing its sustainability practices, advancing impactful research, and fostering meaningful collaborations. These efforts are crucial in addressing the complex challenges outlined by the SDGs and ensuring a sustainable future for us all.