A surge of commitment to sustainability in higher education is underway, with more than 1,600 universities worldwide joining Times Higher Education’s (THE) new Sustainability Impact Network. This initiative, launched last year with a revamped framework for assessing university contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is poised to publish its first ratings this summer, marking a significant step towards a more environmentally and socially conscious academic landscape.
The network represents a truly global effort, encompassing institutions from 116 countries. Asia is leading the charge with 962 member universities, followed by Europe (332) and Africa (202). The growing participation underscores a worldwide recognition of the crucial role universities play in addressing pressing global challenges, from climate change to social inequality.
The five countries with the highest number of participating universities are all located in Asia: the Philippines (162 universities), India (114), Turkey (76), Thailand (69), and Indonesia (67). Europe’s involvement is spearheaded by the United Kingdom (59 institutions) and Ukraine (56), although Algeria leads African participation with 54 member universities. Notably, over a third of the participating institutions – 592 – are based in low or lower-middle income countries, demonstrating a broad and inclusive approach to sustainability efforts.
Increased Global Participation
This year has seen a marked increase in participation across numerous nations. A total of 19 countries have expanded their representation within the Impact Rankings compared to the previous year. The Philippines, already a strong contributor, saw its number of ranked institutions rise from 121 in 2025 to its current level within the network. Vietnam has also increased its participation, now boasting 19 universities compared to 16, and Yemen has doubled its representation from three to six institutions. Four countries – Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, and Tajikistan – are participating for the very first time.
The Sustainability Impact Network isn’t simply about ranking; it’s about fostering collaboration and driving meaningful change. Only universities that subscribed to the network were eligible to submit data for the 2026 Sustainability Impact Ratings in the autumn, ensuring a committed cohort focused on measurable progress. The ratings assess performance across four key areas: teaching, research, stewardship of resources, and outreach.
A Network Focused on Impact
According to Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer, the response to the Sustainability Impact Network has been “inspirational.” “With so many members of the new network, and with so many participants in the ratings, not only have we succeeded in providing a stable and sustainable future for the world’s most trusted and most comprehensive framework for evaluating and celebrating universities’ deep social and economic impact, we have also created the world’s largest university membership network of any kind, and it is entirely dedicated to helping to deliver a sustainable future for us all,” Baty stated.
The network’s core function will be the sharing and analysis of performance data, allowing universities to benchmark their progress, learn from best practices, and contribute to shaping the United Nations’ sustainable development agenda. Members gain access to exclusive webinars, monthly newsletters, and support from THE’s data experts to validate and evaluate submitted evidence.
The methodology for the ratings remains consistent with previous years, encompassing 18 tables – an overall league table and individual rankings for each of the 17 SDGs. The Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 will be officially launched at the THE Global Sustainable Development Congress in Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2026.
As universities increasingly prioritize sustainability, initiatives like the THE Sustainability Impact Network provide a crucial platform for collaboration, accountability, and a more sustainable future. The network’s continued growth and the upcoming publication of the 2026 ratings will undoubtedly shape the conversation around the role of higher education in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.
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