Towards a Fairer World Report Showcases Nottingham’s UN SDG Achievements

The University of Nottingham, a member of the Russell Group, has a wide range of campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia reflecting its global network for supporting education, research and industry collaboration. More than this, the university has produced over 97 alumni who have achieved academic success worldwide. The university earned 17th rank in the UK by the 2023 QS World University Rankings, which is another strong recognition of its academic excellence, global impact, and commitment to innovation.

Furthermore, it is also known for research strength, ranked as the seventh in the UK for research power in REF 2021. It is the birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, which continuously tackle more global challenges from sustainable food supplies to greener transport. As the major employer and industry partner, Nottingham becomes one of the most sought-after graduates by top employers in the UK, as it is ranked third, standing next to Loughborough and Cambridge in the Graduate Market in 2024 report.

In continuation of these achievements, Nottingham University is again recognised by the sustainability ranking as one of the leading universities in the world. The 2026 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability ranked Nottingham 37th, together with over 2,000 universities worldwide, and 14th among the 109 universities in the UK. The ranking measures how higher education institutions deal with global environmental, social, and governance challenges. This comes subsequent to the release of Towards a Fairer World, the university's annual Nottingham SDGs report, which outlines action across its UK, China, and Malaysia campuses in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Higher Global Rankings

1. Nottingham fared well in the QS sustainability ranking tables.

2. Joint 82nd around the world on Environmental Impact: concerning environmental sustainability, education, and research.

3. Joint 11th in social impact worldwide: measuring equality, knowledge exchange, employability, and health and well-being.

4. Joint 13th concerning governance worldwide: ethics, hiring practices, transparency, and decision-making.

5. Such results strengthen Nottingham's public service university and also governance sustainability.

Commitment to the SDGs

Professor Metcalfe indicated that even while the Nottingham SDGs report was a separate exercise, its launch complemented the QS recognition of the university as being in the world's top 40 most sustainable. She noted that both reinforced Nottingham's commitment to improving lives through innovative solutions and to inspiring the students with the skills to shape a positive future. In this regard, Nottingham's impressive qualities and collaborative ethos among its campuses allow the university to work across borders in tackling global challenges.

Examples of Global Research Impact

The report Towards a Fairer World highlighted how Nottingham's environmental research and social initiatives contributed to all 17 Nottingham's UN sustainability goals.

1. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation Research at Nottingham Ningbo China resulted in the sponge cities and nature-based flood solutions concept that applied to Asia's five mega deltas, where communities currently face 90 per cent of global flood risk.

2. At Nottingham Malaysia, microplastics can be removed from household effluent through water treatment technology development pursued by researchers in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme.

3. UK-based researchers, together with partners in Nagpur, India, used wastewater sampling and modelling for improved preparedness for COVID surges in low-income countries.

Reducing Inequalities

1. More than 70 different countries and regions are represented by the staff and students at the university in Nottingham, Ningbo, China.

2. Nottingham Malaysia researchers are developing inclusive screening tools for children with neurodevelopmental conditions to address gaps in diagnostics for non-Western populations.

3. A comic book based on Nottingham research was developed to help children ages 13-16 understand the risks of forced marriage and how to protect themselves and others.

Shared Purpose Across Campuses

Professor Metcalfe mentioned that Nottingham's three facilities in the UK, Malaysia, and China had common capabilities in food, health, and sustainable technologies. She explained that these strengths were put by each facility in local and regional contexts while retaining international impact. She added that this express purpose was evident in the Towards a Fairer World report, which gave real-world enlightenment on how Nottingham is fairly contributing to all 17 SDGs.

The Nottingham QS sustainability recognition highlights the role the university plays in sustainable higher education and can demonstrate actual university ESG impact. By combining green campus initiatives, international collaboration, and sustainable development research, Nottingham strengthens its position as one of the most impactful institutions on the sustainability UK landscape of the University of Nottingham. The university's strategy illustrates Nottingham's environmental, social, and governance ranking vis-à-vis global priorities to show how students, researchers, and communities benefit from the practice of its commitment to sustainability.

Editor’s Note:

The University of Nottingham's sustained success across research, sport, graduate outcomes and sustainability clearly goes on a connected strategy. The picture emerging is one of a globally engaged university using evidence, collaboration and long-term plans to create measurable impact. Nottingham's strengths are broad and credible. QS ranks it 97th in the world and 17th in the United Kingdom, while giving it seventh place for research power in REF 2021. It has been awarded Sports University of the Year 2024 (by both The Times and Sunday Times, and Daily Mail). The list of successes of its alumni—from MRI to ibuprofen—has an extensive history of breakthroughs to enhance life. The employers corroborate: Nottingham's graduates are the third most targeted by UK's top employers in 2024. The sustainability results are striking. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, Nottingham is joint 37th globally and 14th in the UK, with joint 11th worldwide under Social Impact, joint 13th for Governance, and joint 82nd for Environmental Impact. These are not marketing claims; they represent policy, practice and outcome across environmental stewardship, equality, transparency and health and wellbeing. What makes all this work is the strategy. First, Nottingham's tri-campus model (UK, China, Malaysia) creates the best shared strengths in areas of food, health and sustainable technologies that, in turn, can be applied locally and linked up internationally. Second, the University releases Towards a Fairer World, an annual SDG report that turns ambition into accountable action, covering projects such as sponge city flood solutions, microplastics removal and Covid wastewater modelling. Third, it combines discovery and delivery: industry collaboration, green campus initiatives, and clear pathways from research to public benefit.

Skoobuzz highlights that Nottingham University exemplifies a modern, effective university which is global, local, and transparent. Its top rankings, high employer demand, and verified sustainability show it sets standards, not just chases headlines. Continued investment in trans-campus collaboration, open reporting, and SDG-aligned, evidence-based programs will ensure its ongoing leadership in research, social responsibility, and relevant skills for resilient economies.

FAQs

1. Why has the University of Nottingham been recognised in the QS Sustainability Rankings?

The University of Nottingham's sustainability ranking reflects its commitment to tackling global environmental, social, and governance challenges. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, Nottingham was placed joint 37th worldwide and 14th in the UK, demonstrating its strong record in sustainable higher education and public interest outcomes.

2. How did the university respond to this recognition?

Professor Metcalfe explained that the ranking complemented the university’s annual Nottingham SDGs report, Towards a Fairer World, which outlines action across campuses in the UK, China, and Malaysia. She emphasised that both initiatives evidenced Nottingham’s dedication to improving lives through innovative solutions, inspiring students, and equipping them with the skills to shape a positive future.

3. What are the wider implications of Nottingham’s sustainability strategy?

The recognition strengthens Nottingham’s position as a social impact university and a leader in governance sustainability. Ranked joint 11th globally for Social Impact and joint 13th for Governance, the university demonstrates transparency, ethical practices, and equality. Its tri‑campus model allows it to apply shared strengths in food, health, and sustainable technologies to both local and international challenges, reinforcing its global reputation.

4. What future steps has the University of Nottingham planned?

The university will continue to publish its Nottingham SDGs report annually, ensuring accountability and public interest transparency. Future priorities include expanding green campus initiatives, strengthening sustainable development research, and embedding environmental, social, and governance procedures across all operations. Nottingham aims to remain a leader in university ESG impact, aligning its sustainability strategy with global priorities and ensuring students and researchers contribute to a fairer, healthier world.