UNAB Among Chile’s Leading Universities in Sustainable Development

UNAB continues to position itself as one of Chile’s higher education institutions most deeply committed to sustainable development. This is evidenced by its role as the Chilean host institution for the United Nations Global Compact Network and by its performance in international and national assessments such as the THE Impact Rankings 2025 and the RESIES 2024 report.

These evaluations measure universities’ progress toward sustainability — the former through alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the latter through the principles promoted by Chile’s Sustainable Campus Network (Red Campus Sustentable).

“Universidad Andrés Bello maintains a deep commitment to sustainable development. Our results reflect sustained efforts that integrate academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and collaboration with diverse sectors,” said Ana María Pavez, Provost of UNAB.

“These efforts have allowed us to transform challenges into opportunities, contributing meaningfully to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in our society. We will continue to strengthen this leadership through initiatives that promote a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all,” she added.

Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025

UNAB’s contributions to sustainable development are highlighted in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which for the seventh consecutive year has recognized the university among the top institutions for its efforts to advance the UN’s 17 SDGs.

In the 2025 edition, UNAB ranks third nationally, standing out in 10 of the 17 goals, including No Poverty, Gender Equality, Climate Action, and Life Below Water.

These results — together with flagship initiatives like UNAB’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038, the historic red sea urchin repopulation in Quintay and Pichicuy led by the Quintay Marine Research Center, and the work of various centers and institutes on sustainable technological and research-based solutions — position the university as a leader in this field.

Ignacio Guerrero, Dean of Community Engagement and Alumni Relations, emphasized the university’s role in advancing the SDGs:

“We work in close coordination with undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as with institutional and organizational partners, to develop community engagement initiatives that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This collaborative approach allows us to generate meaningful, positive impact in the community and beyond — as reflected in this ranking.”

UNAB is ranked among the top 400 universities worldwide out of the 2,526 institutions evaluated in 130 countries.

Strong Results in RESIES 2024

The 2024 Report and Evaluation of Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions (RESIES), conducted by the Sustainable Campus Network, assesses how Chilean universities perform in key sustainability areas.

RESIES examines five core categories: governance and monitoring, sustainability culture, academics and research, campus operations, and community engagement. In the latest cycle, covering data from 2023, UNAB achieved a global score of 72.49%, placing it among the top five institutions in the country out of 33 evaluated.

Among its strongest performances, UNAB received an outstanding 94.44% in governance and monitoring, highlighting the strength of its sustainability policies and its commitment to inclusion and gender equity.

The university also scored 85.60% in community engagement and social responsibility, reflecting initiatives that promote strategic partnerships and incorporate a gender perspective into outreach programs. These achievements underscore the institution’s progress toward a more inclusive and sustainable culture.

Héctor Hidalgo, Executive Director of Community Engagement and Sustainability, underscored the importance of these results:

“Our university has made significant progress in embedding sustainability across all areas. This report not only validates our efforts but also motivates us to keep working toward closing remaining gaps and establishing a truly sustainable institutional culture.”

Sustainable Development as a Shared Responsibility

Since 2006, UNAB has served as the host institution in Chile for the United Nations Global Compact Network — the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, with more than 20,000 companies and 3,000 organizations participating in 160 countries. The network encourages alignment with ten universal principles on human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption.

“As the host of the Global Compact Network in Chile, UNAB reinforces its leadership in sustainability and multi-sector collaboration, acting as a bridge between academia, the private sector, government, and civil society,” said Ignacio Guerrero, Dean of Community Engagement and Alumni Relations,

He added:

“This strategic alliance strengthens the implementation of the Global Compact’s ten principles and the Sustainable Development Goals, positioning UNAB as a key actor in fostering a culture rooted in human rights, equity, environmental responsibility, and transparency — with tangible impact from the classroom to the community.”

In Chile, the Global Compact Network includes more than 200 partner companies and fosters collaboration across the public and private sectors to advance the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.