Seven years ago, 450 universities from 76 countries did something remarkable. They stepped forward, voluntarily, to be assessed against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and have their contribution to the world’s most pressing challenges measured, scrutinised and published for all to see.
That act of conviction has grown into something extraordinary. This year, more than 1,600 institutions from 116 countries have joined our new Sustainability Impact Network to participate in the Sustainability Impact Ratings. Together we have built the world’s largest university membership community united around a single shared purpose: to evidence, improve and amplify the role that higher education plays in the global race for sustainable practices.
The Sustainability Impact Network is a community of institutions that have chosen to be held to account and, in doing so, have earned something valuable: trusted, independent evidence of their commitment to sustainable development. A distinction that matters – especially to students.
Our survey data is clear. Some 85 per cent of member institutions say participation improves their reputation. More than half say it provides the best available evidence of their sustainability commitment. These stats reflect the reality that students, funders, partners and governments are paying close attention and that independently verified performance data carries weight that no amount of self-promotion can replicate.
