In the 2026 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, UC placed in the top 100 universities worldwide, and ranked in the top 30 globally for Environmental Education. Times Higher Education's 2026 Impact Rankings placed UC in the 101–200 band worldwide for overall Global Impact, with standout results against individual UN Sustainable Development Goals — including 24th in the world for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 29th for SDG 13 (Climate Action), and 38th for SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

These results build on a strong track record: UC has featured in past THE Impact Rankings as high as 1st in the world for SDG 12 and 11th for SDG 13, and has consistently ranked among the world's top universities for sustainability performance since these rankings began. It's independent recognition that studying, researching and working at UC means being part of an institution whose own impact is measured against the same global goals it's committed to advancing.

UC celebrates staff who are recognised by their community for going above and beyond at Hui Whakamānawa | Celebrating Staff Success in December. The Sustainability Award winners in 2025 were:

• Associate Professor Billy Osteen and Dr Shweta Sharma, Advancing Sustainability Knowledge Award: For their design and facilitation of AKOP352: Teaching Sustainability, Justice, and the Local Curriculum, a course that helps future primary teachers apply sustainability and justice principles through real-world case studies and multimedia learning. 

•  Jacqui Kingi, Chantal Odendal, Nick Rosewarne, Phil Shaw, Brigid Stubbs and Sun Jeong, Protecting our Planet Award: For their consecutive wins in the UC Green Impact challenge and their commitment to embedding sustainability across UC through initiatives such as waste reduction, food collections, fundraising and ecological restoration.