Western is a leader once again in a global ranking of universities working toward the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 17 targets to create a better and more sustainable world by 2030.
The Times Higher Education 2023 Impact Rankings gave Western a near-perfect score of 95.8 out of
100 and ranked the university ninth in the world overall among more than 1,700 universities. The 2023
rankings analyzed the highest number of participating institutions since the program began five years
ago.
Western ranked first in Canada on anti-poverty initiatives, second on decent work and economic growth
and tied for second on industry, innovation and infrastructure. The three high national rankings cement
Western’s place among the world’s top universities.
“It’s encouraging to see this latest recognition and validation of our sustainability work,” President Alan Shepard said. “It reflects the strong collective commitment Western community members have to
ensuring our teaching, research and campus operations place a priority on addressing global issues.”
Driving progress for a better world .
The strong showing on fighting poverty highlights Western’s work across campus and in the London
area. The ranking is based on research related to SDG 1, “No Poverty,” as well as anti-poverty
programs for students and staff, including financial aid, and work done in the community.
There are broad efforts, like Western’s partnership with United Way Elgin Middlesex to raise money for
local poverty-reduction initiatives, as well as specific programs, like a grant to help newly arrived
international students with their transition costs.
Western ranked second in the country for creating decent work and driving economic growth, based on
its employment practices, staff expenditures, student work placements and research in the field.
London’s second-largest employer, Western connects thousands of students with placements every
year. More than 8,000 companies and organizations recruit at Western.
The university community also creates life-changing products and patents through Western Research
Parks and laboratories across campus, a factor that helped propel Western to the top university in the
province and second in Canada for industry, innovation and infrastructure.
Western researchers are delving deep into hundreds of issues that directly relate to the SDGs, from
homelessness to clean energy to gender equality. Earlier this year, Ivey Business School was ranked
third in the world for its research aligning with the UN targets by the Financial Times’ Responsible
Business Education report.
Inspiring the next generation
Western and its affiliates offer more than 2,700 courses that relate to the UN’s 17 global goals.
A newly revamped course on climate change, now focused on taking action, recently won an award for
its innovative approach. The Connecting for Climate Change Action course will be available on
Coursera for free for anyone to enroll starting this fall.
Student projects and accolades over the last year highlight the diverse expertise of Western’s
community. Western’s focus on entrepreneurship and fostering global impact spurred a host of
solutions developed by students through their coursework or campus-wide competitions.
“The creativity shown by our university community is remarkable. The results of student-driven
innovation are all around us, from protected animal habitats to flood mitigation to green transportation
initiatives across campus. Western is solving local and global challenges with compassionate, human-
centred research and a relentless drive to do better for the planet,” said Heather Hyde, Western’s
director of sustainability.
Pushing for change on campus
Western has committed to sustainability in many forms across its campus, including a pledge for
university operations to be net-zero by 2050.
Projects are underway to green residence dining halls by offering 40 per cent more plant-based food,
reduce vehicle emissions by offering access to 80 electric vehicle chargers across campus and fortifying natural spaces like Medway Creek with an innovative bioengineering approach to mitigate flooding.
Other recent successes:
First-ever QS World Rankings in Sustainability placed Western third in Canada
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally program created by Western graduate students to engage the
campus community and drive change
A biodiversity study, driven by public observations, revealed more than 1,200 species on campus
Ivey research mapped out a path for corporate sustainability in Canada
HOW WESTERN RANKED
SDG 1, No Poverty: 1st in Canada, 3rd in the world
SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth: 2nd in Canada, 24th in the world
SDG 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: 3rd in Canada, 32nd in the world
SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities: 5th in Canada, 17th in the world