Sustainable Development Goals
We have been ranked as one of the top institutions in the world for our commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 17 SDGs are a shared blueprint adopted by member states in 2015 to tackle key global challenges including environmental degradation and climate change, gender and economic inequalities and poverty and ill health.
The 2023 THE Impact Rankings table ranks Cardiff University 52nd out of 1,591 institutions worldwide – a significant increase on our 2022 ranking when we placed in the 101-200 band out of 1,410 institutions.
This year we are ranked in the top 50 for four SDGs:
- 6th for Life Below Water
- 11th for Life on Land
- 24th for Responsible Consumption and Production
- 31st for Good Health and Wellbeing
We are ranked 1st among higher education institutions in the UK for Good Health and Wellbeing and Life Below Water.
See the full results from The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
Our activities
Our commitment to the SDGs is shown in our activities across all areas of the university. Find out more about some of our work supporting the SDGs.
Read our summary report to find out more about our work towards the SDGs:

UN Sustainable Development Goals Summary Report 2021
A report on our work towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
If this document cannot be read by your assistive software, you can request an accessible version by emailing web@cardiff.ac.uk. Please include the assistive tools you use and the format you require.
Our team
Our Environmental Sustainability team take the lead in submitting evidence to show how we meet each of the SDGs.

Dr Julie Gwilliam
Dean of Postgraduate Studies College of Physical Sciences & Engineering
- gwilliamja@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 5977
Dr Katrina Henderson
Environmental Safety Adviser
Read our environmental policies to learn how we embed sustainability across our operations.