THE Impact Rankings assess universities’ contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across education, research, operations, and societal engagement.

SDG 13: Climate Action is recognized as a vital response to the global environmental crisis, placing Sophia University 75th out of 1,089 institutions worldwide in THE’s 2025 evaluation.

Education & Research Programs Addressing Environmental Challenges

• At the undergraduate level, Sophia offers the English-taught Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures (SPSF), an interdisciplinary degree centered on sustainability education, climate science and hands-on fieldwork to equip students to respond to environmental issues
• At the graduate level, the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies drives advanced research and education that comprehensively explores the complex interactions between environment and society through interdisciplinary coursework, empirical studies and policy analysis
• Planning to launch a Digital Green Technology Department in the Faculty of Science and Technology in 2027 to train next-generation engineers in AI and data science for climate solutions

Carbon Neutrality Initiatives

• Sourcing Yotsuya Campus electricity 100% from renewable energy since June 2020 and achieving campus-wide RE100 compliance in November 2023
• Introducing carbon-offset city gas in December 2021 and off-site solar power via corporate PPA in 2024

Campus Engagement

• Establishing the Office for the Promotion of Diversity and Sustainability in July 2024
• Launching a student-staff system in 2021 to empower students as co-creators of eco-campus initiatives and sustainability events 

Responsible Investment

• Among the first Japanese universities to leverage asset management to address climate change, signing the UN Global Compact and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) to drive ESG and impact investing
• Participating in stewardship statements calling for government climate action and submitting policy recommendations via the Japan Climate Initiative (JCI)

This ranking reflects Sophia University’s commitment—“For Others, With Others”—to addressing global climate challenges through education, research, sustainable operations, and ethical investment.　

Related links

• Official Website of Sophia’s Office for the Promotion of Diversity and Sustainability 
  Journey to Carbon Neutrality for Sophia from 2020 to 2024
• Official Website of Sophia School Corporation
  ESG Investment Cases