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Warnings from environmentalists about the dangers of climate change have become louder and louder over the past few years. If we don’t drastically cut carbon emissions, there could be serious repercussions for the planet.

Many universities are providing great examples of how to combat climate change through pledging to hit zero carbon emissions, refitting buildings to be more energy-efficient and arming students with the knowledge and skills to make individual changes.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) look to tackle some of today’s biggest global issues, and one of them, SDG 13, covers climate action.

As part of the 2024 Impact Rankings, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ has produced a ranking focusing on how universities are contributing to climate action. Some of the measures taken into account for the ranking are low-carbon energy use, a commitment to carbon-neutrality and working with local or national governments to address climate change. You can read more about the methodology here.

Top five universities for climate action

1. University of Tasmania

The University of Tasmania scored highly in a range of metrics for the climate action ranking, including for the number of climate action papers published, low-carbon energy tracking, the number of local education programmes about climate and its commitment to carbon-neutrality.

The university’s Climate Futures Research Group works with industry and government agencies around Australia to create projections about the impact of climate change on a range of sectors including wine production and ski resorts.

2. UNSW Sydney

UNSW Sydney is the second university from Australia to feature in the top five for SDG 13.

The university has made a range of commitments to tackle climate change, including 30 per cent less emissions by 2025, 50 per cent less emissions by 2030 and to be net zero by 2050.

The Climate Change Network is a network of staff and students who hold regular events and activities to combat climate change within the university and the local community.

3. Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University, which is located in Canada, climbs two places this year.

The university offers more than 230 sustainability courses, and its environmental science programme has been running for more than 25 years.

In 2019, the university opened its School of Sustainable Energy Engineering.

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4. Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University has been certified carbon neutral for its business operations since 2023.

The university has a range of initiatives with a focus on sustainability, including electric vehicle charging stations on campus and regenerative agriculture practices.

The university has managed to reduce waste by 50 per cent, and all retailers on campus have halted the use of single-use plastic products.

5. University of Victoria

The University of Victoria has a strategic framework in place that outlines the measures it will take to tackle climate change.

One of the measures laid out in the framework is to ensure that students are engaged with the principles of sustainability and have the opportunity to develop their knowledge of sustainable practices.

The university is also in the process of consulting staff, students and the local community on a climate and sustainability action plan that will outline measurable outcomes for the university’s commitment to sustainability.

The top universities for climate action 2024: top 100

View the full ranking for climate action here

October 2024: After the publication of the Impact Rankings 2024, we identified errors in some universities’ evidence scores. In line with our corrections policy, the affected universities’ scores were recalculated.  As per THE’s rankings correction policy, the amendments made only affect the universities in question. We do not rerun the complete ranking. All other universities maintain their original rank. This article was updated to reflect the new scores. More information on the changes can be found here.