UCalgary earns spot in top 5% globally in QS Sustainability rankings for advancing sustainability

UCalgary has been recognized among the top five per cent of global universities in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024. Introduced in 2022, the QS Sustainability ranking evaluates universities based on their commitment, progress, and impact in addressing the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance challenges.

In this year’s edition, UCalgary ranked an impressive 68 out of 1,403 participating institutions and ranked seventh amongst the 31 participating Canadian institutions. Furthermore, UCalgary ranked in the top three per cent globally for governance, top 10 per cent for environmental impact, and top three per cent in social impact with a top-three global placement under the equality subcategory.

“The University of Calgary is very proud to be recognized by QS for our sustainability performance,” says President Ed McCauley. “This latest ranking represents years of hard work from our campus community, people who are collectively striving to achieve local and global impact toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“Together, we are advancing sustainability education; engaging with the wider community, modelling sustainability in campus operations; and integrating research and academic programming in sustainability. Congratulations to the UCalgary students, faculty and staff who have made all of this possible.”

Social impact

Ranking in the top three per cent globally for social impact, UCalgary is actively addressing inequalities to achieve a more sustainable future for all. The rankings assess institutions' dedication and efforts to transform society for the better, whether through equality measures, sharing knowledge and learning from others, providing strong outcomes to graduates, and ensuring a positive student experience.

UCalgary also ranked number three globally in the equality lens, a subcategory that evaluates a university's efforts to instill gender equality and reduce overall inequalities, including discrimination based on sexual orientation, disability, race and wealth.

Through various policies, programs, resources, and strategies, UCalgary is on a mission to create equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities that are accessible to everyone.

Environmental impact

QS evaluates environmental impact through the subcategories of operational sustainability performance, environmental education, and research with a focus on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. UCalgary’s diverse research portfolio and sustainability-related programs were ranked among the top seven per cent for environmental research and the top eight per cent in environmental education.

Good governance

In this year’s edition, QS introduced governance as a new category for universities to be evaluated on. This category assesses governance through criteria such as open decision-making, a holistic ethical organizational culture, student representation in a university’s governing bodies, and financial transparency. UCalgary ranked 46^th, placing the university in the top three per cent globally, affirming strong governance processes.

Explore UCalgary’s sustainability progress by reading the 2023 Institutional Sustainability Report or visit the sustainability web page to learn more about how UCalgary is sparking local and global change.