The Impact Ranking evaluates the achievement of 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations
The British magazine Times Higher Education (THE) reported last Wednesday (12) The Impact Ranking 2024, highlighting the most sustainable universities in the world, that measures sustainability efforts through the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
The big highlight for UFSM was its rise in the general classification in Brazil, moving up from 4th to 2nd position nationally and ranking 1st among federal institutions. This year, 55 universities were classified in Brazil. Globally, UFSM maintained its position in the 301-400 range.
Besides the general score, the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking also classifies universities according to each of the 17 SDGs. UFSM continues to excel in SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, ranking 2nd in Brazil and 52nd in the world. This SDG evaluates research on hunger, teaching on food sustainability, and commitment to avoiding waste, both on campus and in the surrounding regions of engagement.
Another highlighting result for UFSM was in SDG 1 – No Poverty, ranking 2nd in Brazil and 87th in the world. This Goal evaluated research on poverty and their acting and support for poor students and citizens of local communities.
UFSM also excelled in SDG 15 – Life on Land, ranking 3rd in Brazil and within the 401-600 range globally. In this SDG, UFSM stood out in combating biodiversity loss, promoting sustainable forest management, and restoring devastated lands.
The number of evaluated institutions has increased
This year, The Impact Ranking included 1,963 universities worldwide, up from 1,591 in the previous edition. This makes it the largest sustainability ranking in the world, surpassing GreenMetric and QS Sustainability.
For Lucas Langner of the Provost Office for Planning (PROPLAN), the increase in the number of evaluated universities is attributed to the approaching deadline of the 2030 Agenda, when global attention will focus on collective efforts to achieve the SDGs. Universities play a fundamental role in this process. Additionally, the rise is due to the ranking’s well-developed methodology, which evaluates each SDG individually and adopts rigorous evidence criteria for each piece of information received.
“Almost 300 pieces of information related to the university’s efforts towards the SDGs are required, and nearly all questions necessitate documentary proof, which amplifies the challenge”, highlights Lucas, underscoring the rigor and seriousness of the ranking.
Efforts by the entire academic community
The president of UFSM, Luciano Schuch, evaluates that UFSM’s prominence in the ranking reflects the collective efforts of the entire academic community in achieving the United Nations’ SDGs, which are crucial for fostering a more equitable country and a world. “What we are currently experiencing in Rio Grande do Sul is a consequence of not achieving the SDGs. The climate resilience we need is embedded in these Goals, and we must continue our efforts”, states Schuch. “I want to thank the entire community engaged in research, extension work, and education focused on achieving the SDGs”, he adds.
Complete results, methodology, and additional information about the ranking can be found on the THE website.
For more information about the SDGs, visit the Provost Office for Extension website.
Original text: https://www.ufsm.br/2024/06/12/ufsm-sobe-e-e-a-2a-melhor-universidade-do-brasil-em-sustentabilidade-segundo-a-times-higher-education
