Sustainability at RGU
United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
RGU is recognised annually for its drive towards a more sustainable future after making its debut in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact rankings.
Robert Gordon University actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through our strategic commitment to sustainability in education, research, and operations. The SDGs are embedded across our curriculum and fostered into our innovation to address global challenges. This holistic approach positions RGU as a leader in driving sustainable development both locally and globally. The 17 SDGs were adopted by the UN in 2015 to help provide a more sustainable future for all.
The University’s rankings have steadily been improving in recent years, and is currently ranked 301-400 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. Over 2,300 universities are included in the global list. The University’s ranking for the compulsory SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals improved to 201-300 (up from 401-600 in 2024). We also ranked 101-200 for all of our top 3 SDGs:
- SDG 5 Gender Equality
- SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
The THE Impact rankings demonstrate how higher education institutions across the world are working towards the SDGs. RGU’s overall ranking is determined by the combined score of its three best-performing SDGs and the compulsory category.
Find out about all of the UN SDGs:
RGU is focused on the following SDGs: Good Health and Wellbeing, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Sustainable Cities and Communities and Partnership for the Goals.
RGU promotes good health and wellbeing through sports, which are accessible to staff and students at the University and also within local community.
Over the last two years, RGU has expanded our smart metres infrastructure to cover all our water meters on our Garthdee Campus, Boat House and National Subsea Centre.
RGU has a policy to ensure all renovations or new builds follow energy efficient standards of our Net Zero Emissions Construction, Refurbishment and Maintenance Standard.
Significantly contributing to the future prosperity of the nation underpins our focus on enhancing employability, harnessing talent and skills and promoting an inclusive society to support a just transition to a fairer, wealthier and greener economy.
Community engagement is a key strategic aim and RGU is committed to contributing to the prosperity and health of the region by delivering initiatives and projects focused on promoting sustainable social and cultural development.
RGU cannot achieve the SDGs alone and that is why is vital to work across all levels of local and national government and with the public, private and academic sectors.