Awards and recognition
SFU remains among world’s top universities in Times Higher Education 2025 Impact Rankings
91ĹÝÜ˝ (SFU) ranks among the world’s best when it comes to advancing the United Nation’s sustainable development goals, placing 35th overall in .
Recognizing SFU’s commitment to excellence, research and innovation, the university placed in the Top 50 world-wide in multiple categories this year, including for Sustainable Cities and Communities (11th); Climate Action (25); Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (31); Life Below Water (34 – for conserving and sustainably using ocean, sea and marine resources); and Affordable and Clean Energy (47).
In Canada, 91ĹÝÜ˝ ranked within the top five institutions in the categories of Affordable and Clean Energy (2), Sustainable Cities and Communities (3), Climate Action (3), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (4), and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (5).
“I am proud of our entire SFU community for their work over the past year in advancing our vision to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for all,” says SFU President Joy Johnson. “During a challenging time, we have continued to make a difference across B.C. and our communities, and I am thrilled that we continue to be ranked among the top 50 universities in the world in pursuit of the UN’s sustainable development goals.”
The 2025 Impact Rankings build on SFU’s solid reputation at home and abroad.
SFU remains Canada’s top comprehensive university, according to the 2025 Maclean’s University Rankings, along with being the number one university in Canada for overall innovation for four consecutive years in the .
Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Year-after-year, SFU ranks highly in the category devoted to making cities and communities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
91ĹÝÜ˝ contributes to this goal with its partnership with Salish First Nations, on which territories the university is situated, building affordable student housing, and engaging research and teaching that makes a difference in communities and tackles global challenges, and SFU’s sustainable campus practices.
The university is also noted for its sustainable campus practices and commitment to providing public access to museums and galleries, library locations on all three campuses, green spaces and contributions to arts and heritage.
Climate Action
- SFU’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan is at the heart of its commitment to climate action.
The university has joined the UN’s Race to Zero global campaign, committed to divesting from fossil fuels and has been carbon-neutral since 2010. SFU has met and, in several cases, exceeded, its greenhouse gas reduction targets, along with fostering innovation through initiatives like the Clean Hydrogen Hub and SFU Climate Innovation research-for-impact platform.
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- SFU remains a world leader in promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, which provide justice for all and builds effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
The university contributes to this group through a broad network of initiatives, which includes engagement (through SFU Public Square and the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue), working with community partners, municipal and provincial governments and First Nations, and embedding these values at the core of SFU’s Strategic Research Plan 2022-2028.
To learn more about SFU’s progress toward advancing the UN’s sustainable development goals, visit