June University of Galway #1 in Ireland and Top 5 in EU for sustainability

University of Galway is the number one university in Ireland for sustainable development for the fourth year in a row.

The ranking has been announced in the Times Higher Education Impact report in recognition of the University’s progress in responding to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As well as being top of the class in Ireland, the ranking places University of Galway No. 3 in the EU.

Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 ranked 2,526 universities from 130 countries on their progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The number of universities taking part in the rankings is up 65% on the previous year, making the University of Galway achievement all the more significant.

Interim President of University of Galway, Professor Peter McHugh, said: “Ranking University of Galway number 1 in Ireland and top 3 in the EU is a magnificent reward for our staff and our leadership on sustainability measures. Our recently launched new Strategic Plan 2025–2030, Of Galway, For the World is not only a symbol of that focus but also a signal as to how we will further embed sustainability into our teaching, research, operations, and partnerships, fostering the next generation of leaders and innovators to tackle global challenges.”

 Professor Becky Whay, Interim Deputy President and Registrar, University of Galway, and Chair of the University Sustainability Advisory Board, said: “The recognition of the University’s efforts and achievements in embedding the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is a testament to our people and collective spirit. A huge congratulations goes to everyone involved, across our curriculum, research and operations. Our students are reaping the rewards of these endeavours as their time studying with us allows them to develop the knowledge, skills and experiences to transition to a sustainable future.”

 Richard Manton, Director of Sustainability at University of Galway, said: “Confirmation of University of Galway's leading position on sustainability is a great credit to our Community University Sustainability Partnership (CUSP), which this year celebrates its 10^th birthday, and to the entire University community. Students, staff and community partners have enthusiastically embraced our model to learn, live and lead on sustainability. As a National SDG Ambassador, we will continue to advocate the Sustainable Development Goals and act as a good practice example on our green, biodiverse and sustainable campus.”

 Among the highlights from the ranking for University of Galway are – top 50 in the world for actions on SDG12 Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG3 Good Health and Wellbeing; and SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals.

University of Galway is also ranked top 75 in the world for SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation - following a submission under this category for the first time - and SDG14 Life Below Water.

Some of the key measures which have been taken by University of Galway in the realm of sustainability are:

• Researchers have developed a global reputation for innovation for health, sustainable and resilient environments (earth and ocean), creativity, culture and society, and transformative data and AI.
• Sustainability is embedded throughout across the curriculum and the University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses focused on sustainability.

• Our campus is the most biodiverse university campus in Ireland and we hold the An Taisce Green Campus Flag. We have introduced new wildflower enhancement schemes, bird boxes, bat boxes, insect hotels, beehives, a pollinator friendly pesticide code and a log tree hive.

• University of Galway is home to the first lab in Europe to awarded Green Lab certification and all the labs in the Alice Perry Engineering Building are certified as green.

• University of Galway campus and buildings are testbeds for positive sustainable actions. Since 2016, the University has halved its greenhouse gas emissions and is on course to surpass public sector 2030 targets. We have replaced fossil fuel boilers with heat pumps, rolled out solar PV across campus and developed innovative energy projects. On-campus park and ride buses are electric. A network of internal and external drinking water fountain have been installed campus wide.

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