By Simon Danneskiold-Samsøe, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Filephoto: AAU

Quality education, clean water and sanitation, and reduced inequalities are all areas where Aalborg University distinguishes itself in this year’s Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which evaluate universities across the globe in relation to the 17 SDGs. With an overall ninth place globally, there is reason to be very satisfied with the overall efforts, yet the results also show room for further progress. The 2025 edition of the rankings highlights that many universities around the world are making significant contributions to sustainability.

"Naturally, we are pleased to be among the global top 10, and great credit goes to everyone who contributes daily to helping our university in the right direction. Meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals requires thoughtful and strategic decisions, and the ranking demonstrates that our talented staff are highly capable and dedicated. We take the SDGs very seriously, and we remain committed to continuously improving our sustainability efforts," says Anne Marie Kanstrup, Pro-rector, Aalborg University.

Both research and everyday life

Times Higher Education ranks universities and their efforts within the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The assessment encompasses everything from research on sustainable technologies to education, social conditions and equality to the important work of reducing CO2 emissions in buildings, canteens, etc. Thus, the rankings reflect both a university’s academic contributions and how it manages its environmental and societal responsibilities.

Water and sanitation

In this year's list, Aalborg University particularly advanced on SDG 6 – clean water and sanitation – from a global 42nd place in 2024 to 5th place in 2025. This places AAU among the leading institutions in the world in terms of promoting equal access to drinking water at an affordable price, improving wastewater treatment and ensuring sustainable management of our water resources.

AAU maintains a strong focus on water consumption and the management of wastewater and rainwater, and there is chilled drinking water available on campus, helping to minimise water waste and reduce the use of plastic in the form of bottled water and soft drinks. AAU's research dissemination provides societal actors with knowledge on environmental and drinking water protection, water-saving facilities, and not least wastewater treatment and rainwater management.

AAU is listed in several international rankings that in recent years have become important benchmarks for attracting researchers, students and partners both nationally and internationally.

In 2024, AAU placed number four out of 1,923 universities, and in 2025, AAU places number nine out of 2,318 universities.

Additional information:

Simon Danneskiold-Samsøe, Journalist and Press Advisor, ssd@adm.aau.dk, +45 3115 7533