The University of Manchester traces its roots to the formation of the Mechanics' Institute (later UMIST) in 1824, and its heritage is linked to Manchester's pride in being the world's first industrial city. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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Universities and higher education institutions have been praised for their progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a new analysis.

The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 has ranked more than 1,600 institutions from around the world for the progress in pursuing the 17 goals, which include tackling climate change and working to preserve the oceans and forests.

The annual ranking was topped by the University of Manchester in the U.K. United Kingdom), with the second highest ranked university being Griffith University in Australia.

Australia, Malaysia and Canada also have two top-10 universities in the overall ranking.

There are also five Asian universities in the top 10 and two institutions from Malaysia entered the top 10. Universiti Sains

Malaysia is in fifth place and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is joint seventh alongside Hokkaido University of Japan.

South Korea’s Hanyang University is in sixth place.

The Times Higher Education’s chief global affairs officer, Phil Baty said the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals provide the best framework for understanding how universities are making a difference in the world around them.

Baty added they can use this framework to show how they are tackling issues like climate change and inequality, as well as providing young people with the skills to deliver a more sustainable future.

“When it comes to sustainability, excellence comes in many shapes and sizes, and it's not the preserve of the Global North, or the traditional research elite,” he told me.

“It’s a truly global phenomenon and there is a wonderful array of universities doing great work to drive this agenda forward.”

Baty said South-East Asia is the best represented region, with universities in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia playing a key role.

More than half of universities in the Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 are from Asia (962) and the Philippines has the

most institutions in the overall ranking, 160. The next most active country is India, with 110.

Europe is represented by 319 institutions in the ranking, while North America has 37 representatives.

Baty said many of the institutions in South-East Asia are at the forefront of issues like climate change, and are facing more acute climate impacts than in other parts of the world.

He added national governments in the region recognise how universities can seriously with economic and social development.

“In places like Thailand, there is a government vision to help steer universities specifically towards big pressing challenges for the region, and also shared global challenges,” Baty told me.

“So, for example, coastal institutions might specialize in some of the sustainability development goals around conserving the world's oceans, seas, and marine resources.

“There’s also a sense these universities want to be globally visible and want to be globally engaged.”

The University of Manchester in the U.K, which was ranked first, was also ranked first individually for sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and Life on Land (SDG 15).

Manchester has also supported the development of a major new solar farm, meaning 65% of its electricity demand will be matched from this renewable source, halving the institution’s electricity carbon footprint.

In addition, the university also has a target is to reach zero direct carbon emissions by 2038.

Professor Duncan Ivison, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester at a time of rapid technological, environmental and social change, universities have never been more important, in a statement.

Professor Ivison added universities help prepare people for the future, advance understanding through research, and work with partners to turn ideas into real improvements in people's lives.