The University of Alberta ranks eighth in the world and second in Canada among universities striving for a more sustainable future, according to the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.
This marks the third straight year the U of A has been in the global Top 10 of this ranking. THE's Impact Rankings were created to celebrate universities that are making strides in multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which the UN says provide "a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future."
"The University of Alberta's continued high performance in these international rankings highlights our core commitment to sustainability and to finding innovative solutions for complex global challenges," says Bill Flanagan, president and vice-chancellor.
"The expertise and resources that have been cultivated in our areas of global excellence - health and well-being, artificial intelligence, and energy and environment - have positioned us to make a transformational impact around the world."
"This year's ranking was more competitive than ever, with 2,318 institutions evaluated, the most since the Impact Rankings began in 2019. Finishing in the top ten amongst that group is a tremendous achievement and really demonstrates how our faculty, staff, and students are making a strong contribution to addressing the world's biggest challenges," says Robert Summers, director of the U of A's Sustainability Council, which supports sustainability-focused learning and programming across the university's three colleges and provides opportunities for students such as the Certificate in Sustainability and Adaptation Resilience Training program.
The U of A is once again first in the world for SDG 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, a goal focused on promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization while also nurturing innovation and resilient infrastructure.
The university's excellence in this SDG is exemplified in the collaborative work of researchers, scholars and industry partners, from repurposing GoPro technology to monitor tree seedling growth to focusing expertise on tackling global water challenges and creating a course that equips students to help communities grappling with the impact of climate change.
There are also several spaces on the university's campuses designed to give students opportunities to refine their skills and knowledge, preparing them to be key members of the future workforce in Alberta and beyond.
The Student Innovation Centre, modelled after business incubators, offers the tools needed for success with student-led ventures, from drop-in workspaces to programming and workshops throughout the year. Students with an entrepreneurial vision can find support at the eHub Entrepreneurship Centre. For more hands-on projects, The Shack and the Elko Engineering Garage allow students to create physical prototypes, explore different fabrication methods or use equipment like 3D printers and laser cutters.
Coming fifth in the world in SDG 2, Zero Hunger, the U of A is a powerhouse for research that promotes sustainable agriculture. Researchers are finding innovative ways to transform unwanted products into valuable food sources and partnering with industry to find eco-friendly alternatives to in-demand products like animal feed.
In addition to projects led by researchers committed to helping eliminate global food insecurity, the university has infrastructure to support goals related to this SDG, including the Agri-Food Discovery Place and the Dairy Research and Technology Centre.
The university ranked 13th and 15th in the world for SDG 14, Life Below Water, and SDG 15, Life on Land, highlighting a commitment to conserving and protecting diverse ecosystems around the world and finding solutions to the issues that plague them.
Additionally, the university ranked in the top 25 in the world for SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities. The Alberta School of Business recently established the Radhe Krishna Gupta Executive Chair in Cities and Communities, with the inaugural chairholder drawing on expertise from a variety of disciplines to help cities thrive through economic and social development.
The U of A's strong showing in the 2025 Impact Rankings follows recent success in several other prominent global rankings. In March, THE named the University of Alberta 46th in the world in its "Most International" ranking.
Expertise in several specific areas - petroleum engineering, mineral and mining engineering, nursing, and sports-related subjects - was lauded in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject earlier this year, with all four subject areas ranking among the world's Top 20.
