TACKLING THE WORLD’S MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES

Our vision for UWS is to be among the global leaders of excellent, relevant and purposeful research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. UWS has committed to placing the SDGs at the heart of our Strategy 2025. Set by the United Nations General Assembly, the Sustainable Development Goals or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all" by the year 2030.

UN SDG10 - Reducing Inequalities - UWS 16th in the World - logo with text - 1000x1000px

UWS is committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024, UWS has been ranked 16th in the world for impact on reducing inequalities (Sustainable Development Goal 10).

Over 1100 universities from around the globe were assessed for their contributions to SDG10; with the top institutions selected for their commitment to ensuring equal opportunity and inclusion.

“We’re incredibly proud to have achieved this ranking, recognising our impact in reducing inequalities. As Scotland's leading university for widening participation, with the belief that education should be available to all, this achievement is testament to the hard work of each and every colleague in embedding that ethos.”
Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor

More on our UNSDG success

UWS & UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022, UWS was the most impactful university in Scotland for ‘decent work and economic growth’ (United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8), and 23rd most impactful university in the world for ‘reducing inequalities’ (UN Sustainable Development Goal 10) . This demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and, building on our existing research and education strengths, transforming our world and improving lives. To find out how UWS is responding to this urgent call for action through research, click on the individual sustainable development goals icons, below.

Find out more about 1: END POVERTY
1: END POVERTY

Globally the number of people living in extreme poverty declined from 36 per cent in 1990 to 10 per cent in 2015. But the pace of change is decelerating and the COVID-19 crisis risks reversing decade.

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Find out more about GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger

After decades of steady decline, the number of people who suffer from hunger – as measured by the prevalence of undernourishment – began to slowly increase again in 2015.

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Find out more about 3: GOOD HEALTH and WELL-BEING
3: GOOD HEALTH and WELL-BEING

Need content for preview text (duplicated from Goal 2 on WayBack)

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Find out more about 4: QUALITY EDUCATION
4: QUALITY EDUCATION

Education enables upward socioeconomic mobility and is a key to escaping poverty. Over the past decade, major progress was made towards increasing access to education and school enrolment rates...

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Find out more about 5: GENDER EQUALITY
5: GENDER EQUALITY

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

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Find out more about 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

While substantial progress has been made in increasing access to clean drinking water and sanitation, billions of people—mostly in rural areas—still lack these basic services.

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Find out more about 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

The world is making progress towards Goal 7, with encouraging signs that energy is becoming more sustainable and widely available.

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Find out more about 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Sustained and inclusive economic growth can drive progress, create decent jobs for all and improve living standards.

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Find out more about 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, together with innovation and infrastructure, can unleash dynamic and competitive economic forces that generate employment and income.

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Find out more about 10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES
10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES

Reducing inequalities and ensuring no one is left behind are integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Find out more about 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

The world is becoming increasingly urbanised. Since 2007, more than half the world’s population has been living in cities, and that share is projected to rise to 60 per cent by 2030.

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Find out more about 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

Worldwide consumption and production- a driving force of the global economy - rest on the use of the natural environment and resources in a way that continue to have destructive impacts on the planet.

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Find out more about 13: Climate Action
13: Climate Action

Climate change is affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives. Weather patterns are changing, sea levels are rising...

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Find out more about 14: LIFE BELOW WATER
14: LIFE BELOW WATER

The ocean drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe.

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Find out more about 16: PEACE, JUSTICE, AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
16: PEACE, JUSTICE, AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

Conflict, insecurity, weak institutions and limited access to justice remain a great threat to sustainable development.

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Find out more about 15: LIFE ON LAND
15: LIFE ON LAND

Nature is critical to our survival: nature provides us with our oxygen, regulates our weather patterns, pollinates our crops, produces our food, feed and fibre.

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Find out more about 17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOAL
17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOAL

The SDGs can only be realised with strong global partnerships and cooperation.

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