University of Bristol named one of the most sustainable unis in the world for 2025

The University of Bristol has been announced as one of the world’s most sustainable unis.

The 2025 QS World Sustainability rankings placed Bristol in 12th place, above Oxford, Cambridge and even Harvard.

The university has climbed five places, having been put in 17th place in 2024. 

The data was released yesterday on the QS website (Tuesday 10th December). Bristol was ranked 5th in the UK, with a score of 97.1 out of 100.

Judging 1,744 universities globally, QS focused on institutions approaches to a range of criteria, from environmental research and teaching to the gender balance of university staff and community outreach. 

Bristol also came second in the world “equality” category, judged on how well a university provides disability support and how their research relates to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals surrounding global equality. 

This year 341 more universities were added to the rankings, making the competition tougher and Bristol look even more impressive. 

Earlier this year, QS rated Bristol 54th best university globally, and 11th in Europe.

Prof Evelyn Welch, the university’s vice-chancellor and president, said: “This is an exciting moment for the University, and although we still have a long way to go, we are delighted that our efforts toward creating a more sustainable future have been recognised. 

“Becoming more sustainable is complicated at a university that undertakes all sorts of scientific experiments and has many Georgian buildings which, although beautiful, were not built with the environment in mind. 

“So to everyone who made this possible – to our students, staff, alumni, supporters and our friends in the community – thank you all.” 

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The University’s Will Memorial Building with the Somerset countryside in the background. Credit: University of Bristol

Home to the world leading Cabot Institute for the Environment and becoming the first university to receive a Green Labs certification for all 990 of its laboratories, Bristol is certainly one of the leading universities in terms of environmental research. 

The university is also tackling climate change head-on in a research partnership with the Met Office (super important after Storm Darragh), as well as making smaller-scale changes such as installing solar panels. 

Bristol also hosts a school outreach programme, provides scholarships to disadvantaged students and provides community services at the Barton Hill Micro-campus. 

Prof Michele Acuto, the university’s vice-chancellor for Global Engagement, said: “The success in these rankings is a testament to the hard work and talent of our amazing community, and we are particularly proud of the 2nd place in equality.”

Bristol Students’ Union has also played a big role, with students getting involved in a range of programmes and volunteering opportunities surrounding sustainability. 

Masters’ student Axelle El-Hani who previously studied zoology said she was “really happy to hear about this success.” 

“I know students in my department really care about nature and the environment and this shows that it’s not just limited to students: academics, support staff and the whole university care about a sustainable world.” 

“I’d love the university to do even more – and to be louder about what it is already doing for the environment.”