Bristol ranked as one of the most sustainable universities in the world

A new global league table has placed the University of Bristol among the most sustainable universities in the world.

In the recently released QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024, which is comprised of 1,403 universities worldwide, Bristol University came in 17th place.

The rankings, which review the “different ways in which universities are taking action to tackle the world’s greatest Environmental, Social and Governance issues,” extended their recognition further, as they placed Bristol as the seventh most sustainable university in Europe  (out of 493 institutions) and the 4th most sustainable in the UK from the 93 universities that were assessed.

This comes after the People & Planet student campaign group gave Bristol Uni a “first class grade” in its University League 2022/23, which evaluated 153 universities based on their environmental and ethical performance.

At the forefront of Bristol’s sustainability efforts is the renowned Cabot Institute for the Environment.

Globally acknowledged for its environmental research and teaching, the institute’s experts, some of whom are currently participating in COP28, contribute knowledge, evidence, education, and solutions to safeguard the environment amidst our evolving planet.

Recent milestones signifying the university’s success include a significant 100kW boost in solar capacity as well as its largest-ever increase in electric vehicles, taking a step closer to the aim of all-electric vehicle use by the academic year 2025-26.

New energy management systems have also been installed and outdated heating systems have been replaced to help eliminate energy waste.

On the university’s sustainability ranking, Professor Agnes Nairn, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement, said: “We are immensely proud to be recognized as one of the most sustainable universities globally—an achievement that is a testament to the hard work of our staff, students, and alumni over many years. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible.

“There is still much to be done, and we look forward to building on our world-leading research, making our campus ever more sustainable and continuing to champion diversity in our student and staff bodies.”

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