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By David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations

University College Dublin is Ireland’s most sustainable university, according to the latest QS World University Rankings for Sustainability.

Ranked first in Ireland and 49th in the world, the latest QS sustainability rankings puts UCD among the world’s best for environmental and social impact.

It is the only Irish university to make it into the top 100 of the global ranking. And it is also ranked 28th in Europe among the 556 European institutions featured.

This is the third edition of the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability and with each UCD has seen its position rise. This year, the university’s ranking has improved one place to 49th in the world - up from 50th in the world last year.

This ongoing recognition of UCD’s commitment to sustainability comes following the 2023 appointment of Professor Tasman Crowe as Vice President for Sustainability, a top level role at the heart of the University's education, research, governance, operations, and engagement activities.

“I’m delighted that UCD has held its position in the top 50 worldwide and its number one spot in Ireland. This ranking is the result of the commitment, vision and hard work of many academics, professional staff and students in UCD,” said Professor Crowe, UCD Vice President for Sustainability.

“It provides a strong foundation for further developing our contributions to sustainability through the integration of our research, education and operational activities and through our wider engagement and partnership.”

Ranking 1,744 of the world’s universities using a range of metrics, QS World University Rankings: Sustainability Report examines which institutions are doing the most to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges.

Its methodology for the 2025 rankings is based on university performance across these three assessment categories, which each subdivided into weighted indicators:

Environmental Impact:
o    Environmental Education
o    Environmental Research Environmental
o    Sustainability

Social Impact:
o    Employability and Opportunities
o    Equality
o    Health & Wellbeing
o    Impact of Education
o    Knowledge Exchange

Governance:
o    Good Governance

UCD’s strongest performance was in the Social Impact, with Equality the highest ranked indicator at 10th globally. Other ranked indicators in the top 100 worldwide, included Environmental Research (69) and Health & Wellbeing (65).

To be included in the QS Sustainability 2025 Report institutions must be eligible for QS World University Rankings, QS Rankings by Region or QS Rankings by Subject.

Topping the 2025 rankings is the University of Toronto, which for a second time has been crowned the world’s most sustainable university.

The UK has 26 universities in the top 100 globally and more top 10 universities than any other country or territory, while the United States remains the most represented country or territory, with 239 institutions featured.

UCD has long been a prominent contributor to sustainability, and played a direct role in the development of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which span climate change, biodiversity, inequality, poverty, and a range of other environmental, social, economic and governance challenges, through the advocacy of Professor Patrick Paul Walsh, UCD School of Politics and International Relations, who was involved in their negotiations a decade ago.