Two Canadian universities rank in global top 10 for sustainability impact
On June 23, 2026, Times Higher Education (THE) released its Sustainability Impact Ratings, placing Queen’s University fourth globally and the University of Alberta in a tie for tenth position.
The rankings evaluate institutional performance against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), covering areas such as climate action, poverty reduction, and inclusive education.
The results highlight Canada’s representation in global sustainability benchmarking, with the country standing as the only North American nation to secure positions within the top 10 this year.
- Queen’s University ranked 4th globally with a score of 97.5
- University of Alberta tied for 10th place with a score of 96.0
- More than 1,600 universities from 116 countries were assessed
- Canada placed 20 institutions in the overall 2026 rankings
- Four Canadian universities ranked within the global top 20
Canada’s performance in the 2026 rankings
Canada recorded a total of 20 universities in THE’s 2026 Sustainability Impact Ratings, reflecting broad national participation in sustainability-focused research and institutional policy.
Queen’s University led Canadian institutions, improving its global standing by two positions compared to the previous year. The University of Alberta, while maintaining a top-10 position, moved down slightly from 2025.
Other Canadian universities also ranked prominently, with Western University placing 12th and McMaster University reaching 18th worldwide.
Top Canadian institutions by global position
Several universities across the country demonstrated strong performance in sustainability-related indicators tied to innovation, environmental protection, and community engagement.
Among them, the University of Victoria ranked 27th, followed by Simon Fraser University at 52nd and Université Laval at 68th globally.
York University and Dalhousie University also featured within the top 100, reflecting continued investment in sustainability-related programming and research outputs.
Global top 10 overview
The 2026 rankings featured institutions from Europe, Asia, and Oceania alongside Canada, indicating a geographically diverse distribution among leading universities.
The University of Manchester secured first place with a score of 98.5, followed by Griffith University and Western Sydney University in second and third positions respectively.
Queen’s University was the highest-ranked Canadian institution at fourth place, while the University of Alberta shared tenth position with National Taiwan University.
Industry and innovation emerged as the most common area of strength among top-ranked institutions, reflecting a focus on infrastructure development and applied research.
Methodology and evaluation framework
The Sustainability Impact Ratings are based on performance across the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which form an internationally recognized framework for measuring progress on global challenges.
In 2026, THE assessed 1,646 universities, requiring each participating institution to submit data on SDG 17—partnerships for the goals—and at least three additional SDGs.
Overall scores were calculated by combining performance in SDG 17 with the institution’s three highest-scoring SDG categories.
Four key areas of assessment
The rankings incorporate four primary pillars to evaluate institutional contributions to sustainability.
Research measures the volume and impact of academic work addressing sustainable development challenges.
Stewardship examines how universities manage resources, including infrastructure and human capital, in alignment with sustainability objectives.
Outreach considers partnerships and engagement with communities and external stakeholders at multiple levels.
Teaching evaluates how institutions integrate sustainability principles into education and student outcomes.
Canadian institutions and SDG strengths
Canadian universities demonstrated varied strengths across different SDGs, reflecting diverse institutional priorities and research capabilities.
Queen’s University’s highest-performing category was sustainable cities and communities, while the University of Alberta showed strength in industry, innovation, and infrastructure.
Other institutions, including Western University and McMaster University, also recorded strong outcomes in innovation-related metrics.
The University of Manitoba, ranked within the 201–300 range globally, showed its strongest performance in good health and well-being indicators.
Data on Canadian provinces, including Manitoba, often intersect with broader education and workforce trends tracked through programs such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), which aligns economic immigration with regional labour and development priorities.
Participation and notable absences
While Canada maintained strong representation overall, some prominent universities were not included in the 2026 rankings.
The University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and McGill University did not appear in this edition of the Sustainability Impact Ratings.
Participation in the rankings is voluntary and requires institutions to submit detailed data aligned with SDG metrics, which can affect year-to-year inclusion.
Trends across recent editions
The 2026 rankings mark the eighth iteration of THE’s sustainability-focused evaluation system, previously known as the Impact Rankings.
Several institutions maintained consistent performance within the global top 10, including the University of Manchester, Griffith University, and Western Sydney University.
In 2025, Western Sydney University led the rankings, followed by the University of Manchester and Kyungpook National University, highlighting shifts in leadership positions year over year.
Public relevance and broader context
The Sustainability Impact Ratings provide comparative insight into how universities contribute to global development priorities through research, teaching, and partnerships.
These rankings are frequently referenced in discussions around international education, institutional policy, and global competitiveness.
They also intersect with government and policy frameworks, particularly where higher education links to economic development and international mobility.
Further updates on education trends and related immigration developments are tracked alongside national and provincial selection data, available through resources such as the All Draws Index, which compiles recent invitation rounds across Canada.
Queen’s University’s fourth-place position and the University of Alberta’s top-10 tie remain the most notable Canadian outcomes in the 2026 edition released on June 23.