Each year, the Sustainaiblity team gathers data from across the University for the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings, which measure the contribution of universities to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Participation in the overall ranking requires universities to submit data against at least four SDGs, with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) a mandatory goal against which all universities are judged. Universities receive a score and a rank for their activities on each of the SDGs for which they submit data.

What do the SDGs mean?

The goals can be loosely grouped into five areas, and linked to our research as well as our work on our campus and in communities to empower staff, students and others.

Those linked to inequality:

SDG 1 – No poverty: This relates to our University’s research on poverty and our support for low-income students and citizens in the local community.

SDG 2 – Zero hunger: This relates to our world-leading research on hunger, teaching on food sustainability and our commitment to tackle food waste and address hunger among students and local communities.

SDG 5 – Gender equality: This relates to our research on the study of gender, policies on gender equality and commitment to recruiting and promoting women.

SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities: This relates to our research on social inequalities, policies on discrimination, addressing disadvantage and commitment to recruiting staff and students from under-represented groups.

Those linked to environment and climate:

SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation: This relates to research about water, water usage, and our commitment to ensuring good water management in the wider community.

SDG 7 – Affordable and clean energy: This relates to our research on energy, energy use, policies, and our commitment to promoting energy efficiency in the wider community

SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production: This relates to our research on responsible consumption and our practical approach to the sustainable use of resources.

SDG 13 – Climate action: This relates to our research on climate change, our use of energy and our preparations for dealing with the consequences of climate change.

SDG 14  - Life below water: This relates to research on life below water and our education on and support for aquatic ecosystems.

SDG 15 – Life on land: This SDG relates to our research on life on land and our education on, and support for, land ecosystems.

Those linked to economy and enterprise:

SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth: This relates to our economics research, employment practices and our share of students undertaking work placements.

SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure: This relates to our research on innovation, research income from industry and our number of patents and spin-out companies.

Those linked to institution:

SDG 3 – Good health and wellbeing: This relates to our research on key diseases and conditions and support for healthcare professions, and the health of our students and staff.

SDG 4 – Quality education: This relates to our contribution to early years and lifelong learning, our pedagogy research and our commitment to inclusive education.

SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities: This relates to our role as custodians of arts and heritage and our internal approaches to sustainability.

Those linked to governance and partnerships:

SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions: This relates to our research on law and international relations, our participation as advisers for government and our policies on academic freedom.

SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals: This relates to the broader ways in which our University supports the SDGs through collaboration with other countries, the promotion of best practices and the publication of data.

Get in touch today

If you have an example of some exciting work related to sustainability, please contact the Sustainability Team at sustainable@sussex.ac.uk. 

You can also subscribe to the Sustainable Sussex newsletter to stay updated on our work on the SDGs, and our place in the rankings.