The University ranked just outside the top quarter worldwide, placing 26% overall in the prestigious Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
Date: 10 November 2025
Earlier this year, London Metropolitan University was recognised as a global leader in sustainability, ranking 21st in the world for Responsible Consumption and Production in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025.
The university achieved an overall global ranking of 401-600 out of 2,318 institutions worldwide, placing it in the top 26% globally for its commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The standout achievement came in SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, where London Met's 21st place global ranking reflects the university's leadership in responsible procurement and waste management practices.
London Met's strong performance in this area is built on several key initiatives. The university has implemented a comprehensive Ethical and Sustainable Food policy and revised its waste policy in November 2024 to align specifically with SDG 12 targets, including commitments to reducing disposable and single-use plastics across all services and suppliers. The university now achieves 100% waste recycling or reuse through Energy from Waste (EfW), maintaining a zero-to-landfill policy.
"This recognition validates our comprehensive approach to sustainability and reflects years of dedicated work across the university," said Matthew Brewster, Director of Estates at London Met. "Achieving 21st place globally for Responsible Consumption and Production is particularly significant. It shows that the strategies we've implemented around procurement, waste management, and resource efficiency are genuinely world-class."
Clear targets and a community effort
The university has partnered closely with suppliers to make sustainability a priority in all purchasing decisions. London Met's Estates strategy sets clear targets for recycling and waste management, with ambitious goals to reduce waste and increase recycling rates across all campuses.
Ailsa Shaylor, Sustainability Manager at London Met, said: “Our success in this area is built on working together to strengthen our policies, targets and engagement year on year. It wouldn't be possible without the support we have from our senior leadership team and from the staff and students themselves.”
The university also performed strongly in other areas, ranking 201-300 globally for Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) and 601-800 for Quality Education (SDG 4).
Looking ahead to 2026, London Met has already developed an action plan to strengthen its submission, including evidence for five additional SDGs focused on reducing inequalities and civic engagement, areas where the university expects to demonstrate particular strength.
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings assess universities' social and economic impact based on their contribution to achieving the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
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London Met's commitment to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is reflected throughout its teaching, research and community work. The university is active across most of the 17 SDGs, tackling important global and local challenges in line with its mission to promote social justice, sustainability, and inclusivity. This work not only helps address urgent global issues like climate change and inequality, but also ensures students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to build a more sustainable future.
Find out more about our work towards the SDGs on our dedicated webpages.