• Top 15% in the world for overall sustainability

  • Top 5% in the world for environmental impact of research environment

  • Top 15% in the world for environmental impact of education

ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ has been ranked in the top 15% of universities globally, and in the top 20% in Europe, for its overall sustainability efforts. The latest QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024 also places Cranfield in the top 5% globally for the environmental impact of its research environment.

The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024 highlights the different ways that universities are taking action to address sustainability - examining their impact on environmental, social and governance issues. The 2024 ranking is the second edition, with 1,403 institutions ranked. This is the first time that ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ was eligible to join the rankings.

Impact in research, education and in health and wellbeing

In environmental education impact, which assesses both the provision and the impact of education in environmental sustainability, Cranfield was placed 185th in the world; in the top 15%. Cranfield is also in the top 5% globally for health and wellbeing, which assesses a university’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of its students and society more widely.

Cranfield is 76th in the world – in the top 5% - for the environmental impact of its research. This ranking is based on the impact of the research environment at Cranfield aligned to Sustainable Development Goals 7: affordable and clean energy, 11: sustainable cities and communities, 12: responsible consumption and production, 13: climate action, 14: life below water and 15: life on land.

Global recognition for sustainability

Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng, commented on the results: “Sustainability is at the heart of our mission – tackling the real-world issues of today to create a sustainable future. And that permeates every aspect of our research, teaching, industry partnerships and operations.

“So I know that the whole community at ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ is proud to have this global recognition for our sustainability efforts.”

Last year Cranfield signed the SDG accord which made clear its ongoing focus on bringing academic expertise, industry insight and new technological developments to government, business and wider society. Beyond teaching and research, the University has ambitious targets for its own operations, and is committed to becoming net zero by 2030.

Find out more about the sustainability rankings and their methodology: