Environmental Research

The ER1 - Research Impact on SDGs for Sustainable Research indicator measures the extent to which a university's research contributes to addressing major environmental sustainability challenges through the production of impactful research aligned with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It assesses institutional research performance across six environment-focused SDGs: SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

The indicator recognises that research is one of the primary ways in which universities contribute to environmental sustainability. Through the generation of new knowledge, scientific discoveries, technological innovation, and evidence-based solutions, higher education institutions play a critical role in addressing environmental issues and supporting progress towards global sustainability objectives. By evaluating research performance across multiple environmental SDGs, the indicator provides a broad view of an institution's contribution to understanding and solving complex environmental challenges.

Within the Environmental Research Lens, ER1 serves as the principal measure of research output and impact. It assesses not only whether universities are producing research related to environmental sustainability, but also the extent to which that research demonstrates influence and quality within its field. By examining research activity across a range of interconnected sustainability themes, the indicator recognises institutions whose research contributes to advancing knowledge in areas such as clean energy, sustainable development, environmental protection, resource management, biodiversity conservation, and climate action.

The indicator draws on research classifications developed by Elsevier to identify and assess research outputs associated with the six selected SDGs. By combining performance across multiple environmental goals into a single measure, it reflects the multidisciplinary nature of sustainability research and recognises institutions that demonstrate strength across a broad spectrum of environmental topics rather than in a single area alone.

The indicator is closely aligned with SDG 7, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 14, and SDG 15, which collectively form the foundation of the assessment and represent many of the most significant environmental dimensions of sustainable development. It also supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by recognising the role of research in knowledge creation, teaching, and the development of future researchers and sustainability leaders.

By evaluating research impact across multiple sustainability-related SDGs, ER1 provides a comprehensive measure of how effectively universities contribute to environmental progress through research. Together with the other indicators in the Environmental Research Lens, it helps assess whether institutions are generating influential knowledge, supporting environmental innovation, and contributing evidence that can inform policy, practice, and sustainable development outcomes worldwide.

The ER2 - Sustainable Research National Statistics indicator measures the level of research and development (R&D) investment within the country or territory in which an institution operates. Using national expenditure data sourced from UNESCO, the indicator provides contextual information about the broader research environment that supports knowledge creation, innovation, and research activity.

The indicator recognises that universities do not operate in isolation. The scale of national investment in research and development can influence the availability of research funding, laboratory facilities, collaborative opportunities, innovation ecosystems, and the overall capacity of institutions to undertake high-quality research. By incorporating national R&D expenditure, the indicator acknowledges the wider conditions that help shape research performance and research sustainability.

Within the Environmental Research Lens, ER2 serves as a measure of research capacity and national research context. While other indicators assess the impact of institutional research outputs, the presence of environmental sustainability research centres, and the influence of research on policy, ER2 provides insight into the research infrastructure and investment environment available at a national level. This helps create a more balanced understanding of the conditions under which universities conduct and develop their research activities.

The indicator is based on expenditure on research and development measured in US dollars and reflects the extent to which countries and territories invest in research, innovation, and knowledge generation. Higher levels of investment can support the development of scientific expertise, advanced research facilities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the long-term production of research relevant to environmental sustainability and sustainable development.

The indicator aligns most directly with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, recognising the importance of investment in research and innovation as a foundation for scientific progress, technological advancement, and sustainable solutions. It also supports SDG 4: Quality Education through its connection to knowledge creation and research-led learning, and SDG 13: Climate Action by helping to strengthen the research capacity needed to understand and address environmental and climate-related challenges.

By incorporating national research and development expenditure into the Environmental Research Lens, ER2 complements institution-level measures of research performance and impact. Together with the other indicators in the lens, it contributes to a more comprehensive assessment of the environment that enables universities to generate influential research, support innovation, and advance environmental sustainability through the creation and application of knowledge.

The ER3 - Research Centre with an Environmental Sustainability Focus indicator measures whether a university has established a dedicated research centre whose primary purpose is to advance knowledge, innovation, and research relating to environmental sustainability. It assesses the presence of formal institutional structures that support sustained research activity in environmental and sustainability-related fields, as well as the extent to which those structures contribute to teaching and student development.

The indicator recognises that dedicated research centres play an important role in strengthening an institution's environmental research ecosystem. By bringing together researchers, academic staff, students, and external partners around a shared sustainability focus, these centres can support interdisciplinary collaboration, attract specialist expertise, facilitate research projects, and create opportunities for knowledge exchange. Their presence demonstrates an institutional commitment to investing in the infrastructure needed to support environmental research over the long term.

Within the Environmental Research Lens, ER3 serves as a measure of research capacity and infrastructure. While other indicators assess research outputs, policy influence, and the broader national research environment, ER3 evaluates whether institutions have established dedicated organisational structures to support environmental sustainability research. The indicator therefore provides insight into the foundations that enable universities to generate impactful research and contribute to addressing environmental challenges.

The assessment considers not only the existence of an environmental sustainability research centre, but also whether the centre is supported by dedicated staff and contributes to the university's teaching and supervision activities. By recognising centres that engage with undergraduate and postgraduate education, the indicator acknowledges the important relationship between research and teaching, whereby students benefit from exposure to current research, specialist expertise, and sustainability-focused academic environments.

The indicator aligns most closely with SDG 13: Climate Action, reflecting the role of specialised research centres in generating knowledge and solutions that support environmental protection, climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and broader sustainability objectives. It also supports SDG 4: Quality Education through the integration of research with teaching and supervision, and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through its focus on research infrastructure, institutional capacity, and innovation ecosystems.

By evaluating the presence and educational contribution of environmental sustainability research centres, ER3 complements measures of research performance and research influence. Together with the other indicators in the Environmental Research Lens, it helps provide a comprehensive assessment of how effectively universities invest in the structures, expertise, and environments required to advance environmental research and contribute to sustainable development.

The ER4 - Policy Citations (Environmental) indicator measures the extent to which a university's environmental sustainability research influences policy development and decision-making beyond the academic community. It assesses whether research produced by an institution is being referenced in policy-related documents, providing an indication of the relevance, accessibility, and practical application of that research in addressing environmental challenges.

The indicator recognises that the value of research extends beyond scholarly publication and academic impact. Universities contribute to environmental sustainability not only by generating new knowledge, but also by informing the actions of governments, international organisations, public agencies, and other bodies responsible for developing environmental policies and strategies. Research that is cited within policy documents demonstrates a pathway through which academic evidence can influence environmental governance, regulatory frameworks, sustainability planning, and public decision-making.

Within the Environmental Research Lens, ER4 serves as the principal measure of research influence and real-world application. While other indicators evaluate research performance, institutional research capacity, and the wider research environment, ER4 focuses on the extent to which environmental research contributes to evidence-based policy development. The indicator therefore provides insight into how effectively institutions translate research findings into knowledge that is used outside academia to support environmental progress and sustainable development.

The indicator evaluates policy influence across six environment-focused Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By considering research associated with multiple environmental themes, it recognises institutions whose work contributes to policy discussions across a broad range of sustainability priorities.

The indicator reflects the principle that impactful environmental research should not only advance academic understanding but also support practical solutions to environmental challenges. Research that informs policy can help shape approaches to climate action, resource management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable urban development, environmental protection, and the transition to more sustainable economies and societies.

The indicator is strongly aligned with SDG 7, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 14, and SDG 15, reflecting its focus on research that contributes to environmental sustainability and influences policy within these areas. It also supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) through its recognition of universities as centres of knowledge creation whose research contributes to societal learning and evidence-based decision-making.

By assessing the policy influence of environmental research, ER4 complements measures of research excellence and research infrastructure. Together with the other indicators in the Environmental Research Lens, it helps provide a comprehensive understanding of how effectively universities generate knowledge that informs environmental policy, supports sustainable development, and delivers impact beyond the academic sector.