The QS Sustainability Rankings for 2025 has placed Imperial as joint seventh in the world, joint fourth in Europe, and joint second in the UK, recognising the university’s commitment to putting sustainability at the heart of its work and playing a leading role in the global fight against climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
The ranking looks at three categories – Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance – to analyse the sustainability work of more than 1,500 higher education institutions globally, including around 100 institutions in the UK.
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: “Achieving a sustainable, zero pollution future for us all is a major driver for Imperial. We are honoured to be recognised in the latest QS World University Rankings for Sustainability for our community’s efforts to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges. It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our community.”
Setting a global benchmark
As part of the Science for Humanity strategy, Imperial aims to set a global benchmark for university sustainability through teaching, research and activities on the university’s campuses and beyond.
Imperial already offers a wide variety of education programmes in climate-related science, finance, technologies and policy; its researchers are working with industry partners to accelerate a sustainable transition to net zero; and its experts are working with governments, industry and civil society to advocate for urgent action on climate policy.
The university has also made huge investments to transform its campuses and working practices to meet its commitments to sustainability.
In spring 2024, the university announced a set of new sustainability initiatives as part of its ongoing commitment to a sustainable, zero pollution future, including an ambitious plan to achieve a net zero estate by 2040 (PDF). Imperial’s Sustainable Procurement Policy, which was launched this year, sets out how staff can minimise emissions through their work with suppliers.
Transition to a more sustainable future
Harriet Wallace, Director of Sustainability at Imperial, said: “Our vision is for Imperial to be a place where our staff, students, partners and visitors experience visibly world-leading sustainability research, collaborations, education and campuses – and take what they learn with them out into the wider world to help lead the transition to a more sustainable future.
“Today’s QS ranking is a welcome recognition of what we have done so far, and what we intend to do in the years ahead, to make this happen.”
Alongside the work to achieve a net zero estate by 2040, Imperial introduced the Imperial Zero Index this year – a framework which will determine the university’s engagement with energy and fossil fuel companies. The framework will assess annually how its energy industry collaborators are performing in their commitment, strategy and operational efforts towards net zero.
This policy, along with the Socially Responsible Investment Policy, will ensure that Imperial’s ‘engagement for change’ approach is aligned with its sustainability commitment. The university has pledged to only carry out research with fossil fuel companies where that research is strongly aligned to decarbonisation of their business; and only if the company demonstrates a credible strategic commitment to achieving net-zero by 2050.
Future plans
Imperial has announced a series of measures that it will use to further place sustainability at the heart of its work.
- The Imperial Class of 2030 programme will equip all graduates with climate science literacy to advocate, influence and lead in the fight against climate change and its impact.
- The Imperial Institute of Extended Learning will equip individuals and businesses with the skills and business models needed to deploy new technologies towards a net zero future.
- The School of Convergence Science (Sustainability) will create deeply integrated research and innovation communities on the topics of climate, sustainability and resilience.
- Imperial’s climate expertise will be made accessible to a wider community of global policy makers by providing on-campus deep-dive climate Science Policy Fellowships.
Read more about how Imperial is addressing the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution on our sustainability webpages.
