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University of Birmingham rises 19 places in sustainability league table

University maintains 2:2 rating in the 2024 People & Planet rankings and achieves second year of improved score

9 January 2025•3 min read
The Joseph Chamberlain clock tower on the University of Birmingham campus.

The University of Birmingham continues to rise in the People & Planet University League with a second consecutive year of improvements, jumping 19 places and achieving 68th place in the 2024 ranking.

Birmingham improved scores in a range of areas including Staff & HR, Education for Sustainable Development, Sustainable Food, and Staff & Student Engagement categories, and had an overall score of 50.7%, up 7.6% since 2023.

The People & Planet University League is a comprehensive and independent assessment of higher education institutions in the UK, evaluating their efforts and achievements in promoting sustainable practices, reducing carbon footprints, and fostering positive social impact.

Professor David Hannah (Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor of Sustainability) commented:

"Following on from our success in the 2025 QS Sustainability Ranking (38th globally), we are delighted by our strong performance in the People and Planet’s University League Table. Our position (68th) demonstrates our continued commitments to undertaking our research, education and operations in a more sustainable manner, and to working collectively as a community to build a more equitable and sustainable world.”

Our position (68th) demonstrates our continued commitments to undertaking our research, education and operations in a more sustainable manner, and to working collectively as a community to build a more equitable and sustainable world.

Professor David Hannah, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Sustainability

Previously in December 2024, the University achieved 38th position globally in the 2025 QS World Sustainability Rankings, and 14th in the UK. With an overall score of 93.1 out of 100, the University demonstrates its position as a leading institution in both social responsibility and environmental sustainability.

The University of Birmingham is committed to achieving operational net zero carbon. It is seeking to change society and the environment positively, and use its research and education to make a major global contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Find out at www.birmingham.ac.uk/sustainability

Notes for editors

  • For media enquiries please contact Tim Mayo, Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)7815 607 157.
  • The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, educators and more than 40,000 students from over 150 countries.
  • England’s first civic university, the University of Birmingham is proud to be rooted in of one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the country. A member of the Russell Group and a founding member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities, the University of Birmingham has been changing the way the world works for more than a century.

Featured staff

  • Professor David Hannah

    Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability)

    School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

    David M. Hannah is Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability), Professor of Hydrology and UNESCO Chair in Water Sciences, and Director of the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability & Climate Action.

    Phone: +44 (0)121 41 46925 (for own research)
    Email:

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