LJMU ranked a top 50 UK university in latest sustainability rankings

Liverpool John Moores University has placed in the top 45 UK universities and top 300 worldwide for its commitment to the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) in the Times Higher Impact Rankings 2026.

The university also placed in the top 6% of institutions worldwide for our research, work and interventions to support Climate Action specifically, ranking 90th out of of 1610 institutions. 

The rankings place LJMU in the top 45 universities overall in the UK and top 90 in the world for Climate Action. 

Climbing 100 places in the 2026 rankings

This is the third year LJMU has submitted to the rankings, which outlines the university’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, the university has climbed 100 places from our previous ranking of 301 to 400, to 201-300. 

LJMU provided evidence across a range of the SDGs, achieving top 300 rankings in the world in all categories, and top 25 UK institutions in the UK for five out of six categories, including: 

• Climate action: 90th world ranking, joint 22nd in the UK

• Life on land: 101-200 ranking, joint 21st in the UK

• Peace, justice and strong institutions: 101-200 ranking, joint 18th in the UK

• Partnerships for the goals: 101-200 ranking, joint 19th in the UK

• Responsible consumption and production: 201-300 ranking, joint 37th in the UK

• Good health and wellbeing: 201-300 ranking, joint 18th in the UK 

Our commitment to the Sustainability Development Goals is a true cross university effort.

Dr Colm Bowe, Head of Liverpool Research Institute for Climate and Sustainability (LiRICS)

Dr Colm Bowe, Head of Liverpool Research Institute for Climate and Sustainability (LiRICS) at LJMU said: 

“Our commitment to the Sustainability Development Goals is a true cross university effort and it’s brilliant to see the LJMU performing so well across the rankings, in particular our 90th world ranking recognition for Climate Action. 

“Here at the university, we are committed to working across different disciplines and with partners to try and address all the issues that face us around the ongoing climate emergency. 

“Whether that’s through our research focusing on climate adaptation, resilience and the development of green skills or working with regional partners to provide outdoor learning for schools.  We also work with regional government and partners to embed climate adaptation through nature‑based solutions and unlocking investment, while internationally strengthening resilience to climate‑related migration through improved processes, policy coordination and capacity building.” 

Our ongoing work in Climate Action 

Over the past five years, while working in partnership to drive wider change, LJMU is also addressing its own impact by decarbonising and reducing the university’s energy use. This includes a 35% reduction in operational gas consumption and a 25% drop in energy use intensity, alongside a 35% increase in on-site energy generation.