Lincoln University’s commitment to sustainability reflected in 2025 Global THE Impact Rankings

Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University performed solidly in the latest Global Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, securing a position in the 101-200 band among 2,300 universities worldwide.

This performance reflects the University’s commitment to being an exemplar of sustainable practices for the land-based sector and its ecosystems, especially within the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Notably, Lincoln University excelled in key areas, with three SDG categories placing in the top 100:

SDG 2 Zero Hunger – Ranked 41st

SDG 13 Climate Action - Ranked 48th

SDG 17 Partnership for the Goals – Ranked 71st

A further three featured in the top 101-200: SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 15 Life on Land.

Lincoln University's highest ranking, 41st in the world for SDG 2 Zero Hunger, recognises the University’s impactful research and relevant educational programmes, which aim to address global food security and align with the evolving needs of the land-based sectors. In 2025, two of the three new programmes offered included the Master of Environment and Agriculture and a Bachelor of Science (Plant & Horticultural Sciences major). As a specialist university, Lincoln graduates are uniquely equipped to address the challenges and opportunities facing the agrifood sector, having studied agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness, environmental management, tourism and recreation.

The University’s dedication to maintaining a research-rich and globally connected environment has been pivotal in solidifying its leadership in land-based education and research, as shared by Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the Sustainability Taskforce, Professor Grant Edwards.

“As a specialist university focusing on the land-based sectors, we are deeply committed to developing our nation’s understanding of the relationship between land, food and ecosystems at a time when society is demanding more efficient and sustainable production practices.”

“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do - our teaching, research and our leadership. Our rankings this year confirm that we are making good progress on our sustainability journey, both in our teaching and research, as well as on campus. Our decade-long Campus Development Programme has delivered state-of-the-art campus assets. At the same time, we have significantly increased our use and generation of renewable energy and considerably reduced our carbon footprint, placing us on track to become carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon zero by 2050.”

The University’s 48th global ranking for SDG 13 Climate Action acknowledges the contributions of Lincoln’s researchers in addressing the challenges of climate change in the land-based sectors, leveraging strengths across agriculture, conservation, agribusiness, environmental management, and the physical, biological and social sciences. This includes partnerships with Crown Research Institutes, Māori, and industry, as well as collaborative partnerships with international research and educational institutes that together maximise the University’s impact in climate mitigation research.  

THE Impact Rankings is a global ranking system that assesses universities based on their commitment to the United Nations’ 17 SDGs. The rankings factor in universities' performance in teaching, research, outreach and stewardship.

Additionally, Lincoln University participates in the UI GreenMetrics World University Rankings, where it has an overall global ranking of 85th and has maintained a spot in the top 100 for the past four consecutive years.

Read more on the THE Impact Rankings here. 

For media enquiries, email media@lincoln.ac.nz.