We support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) – seeking peace and prosperity for all people and the planet, now and in the future. 

Social and environmental justice are core values of our Vision and Strategy. We work in depth and breadth across all the Sustainable Development Goals.

Our continued high performance in global league rankings highlights our commitment and work towards sustainable development. It shows how the alignment of our work with the UNSDGs is driving education, research and innovation across the University.

We are ranked 64th in the world out of almost 2,000 institutions in the latest QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, with high scores across the categories of Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance.  This places us in the top 4% of institutions worldwide, a result consistent with last year's rankings (2025).

We are also ranked top 25 in the UK, and top 200 in the world out of 2,318 institutions in the THE Impact rankings. The breadth of our commitment to social and environmental justice is evident in our top 50 ranking for Responsible Consumption and Production and top 100 ranking across a further five of the UN SDGs: SDG 1 No Poverty, SDG10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG13 Climate Action, SDG 14 Life Below Water and SDG15 Life on Land

We are working towards a net-zero goal on campus, with an aim of embedding sustainability in everything we do, from our operations, to our teaching and research.

We have recently been awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for global research excellence in water.

It's important that we’re leading the way on sustainability – the biggest challenge facing the world – and it's significant that one of the driving forces behind this is not only our colleagues' commitment, but also our students.

Professor Jane Robinson

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Business, Partnerships and Place

[#### One planet

We are working to ensure there is enough, for all, forever.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/strengths/one-planet/)

[#### Sustainable development goals

Building a fairer, stronger and more sustainable future.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sustainability/sustainable-development/)

[#### Climate action

Find out about climate action at Newcastle University.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sustainable-campus/about-us/climate-action/)

What we do

[#### Social Justice

Newcastle University is committed to social justice in all that we do. We work together to create a fairer and more just society.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/social-justice/)

[#### Environmental Justice

At Newcastle University we are leading critical research on pressing environmental issues.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/social-science/research/social-science-pillars/environmental/)

[#### Sustainable Campus

The Sustainability Team leads on embedding sustainability throughout campus activity.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sustainable-campus/)

[#### Global Challenges Academy

Working together with our partners, we make important discoveries to tackle today's global challenges.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sustainability/global-challenges/)

[#### Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Newcastle is an inclusive community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/edi/)

[#### University of Sanctuary

Newcastle University aims to provide a welcoming place of safety for all.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/sanctuary/)

[#### One Planet

We understand One Planet to mean that resources are finite and that current practices and consumption levels are unsustainable.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/strengths/one-planet/)

[#### Sustainable Development Goals

Learn how Newcastle University is supporting this United Nations initiative.](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/sustainability/sustainable-development/)

Our Commitment to Sustainable Research

Newcastle University is proud to be a signatory of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice. This sector-wide agreement recognises the urgent need to reduce the environmental impacts of research and commits us to delivering world-leading innovation in a more responsible and sustainable way. Led by our University Executive Board, this step marks a clear commitment to driving real change.

Our focus areas include:

Leadership and system change
Sustainable infrastructure
Sustainable procurement
Emissions from business and academic travel
Collaborations and partnerships
Environmental impact and reporting

As part of this commitment, Professor Matthew Grenby, PVC for Research and Innovation, sits on the EAUC Oversight Group, which advises the UK research community and monitors progress towards the Concordat’s sustainability goals. A signed statement from Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Day confirms Newcastle University's commitment.

Latest news

05 March 2026

#### Expert helps shape NATO report on climate change and global security

Professor Oliver Heidrich has provided expert insight into a NATO report examining how climate change is a threat multiplier that is reshaping global security challenges.

02 March 2026

#### New partnership to strengthen understanding of future extreme weather

Newcastle University experts are partnering on a new project to improve understanding of extreme weather risks caused by combined flooding and wind, and how we can better prepare for them.

24 February 2026

#### Bacteria could unlock untapped resources from wastewater

Scientists reveal how bacteria could help reclaim energy, nutrients and clean water from wastewater.

Latest on Sustainability

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