CityUHK tops the globe for SDG 9 in THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, becoming the first university in Hong Kong with this achievement
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) joined the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 for the first time and ranked 1st globally on Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9). This excellent result testifies to the fact that CityUHK’s dedication to sustainable development has received worldwide recognition.
The result was announced by THE at the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026 in Jakarta. The ranking, formerly known as the THE Impact Rankings, was rebranded as the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings this year. The rankings cover an overall assessment for all categories, and an individual one specific to each of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to assess institutions on each of the SDGs.
Standing out among 826 universities, CityUHK secured the top position in the SDG 9 rating (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), together with seven other universities worldwide. CityUHK is the only university in Hong Kong to have achieved this distinction.
The SDG 9 rating is based on the following four metrics:
- Research on industry, innovation, and infrastructure (11.6%)
- Patents (15.4%)
- University spin-offs (34.6%)
- Research income from industry (38.4%)
Notably, CityUHK achieved a perfect score of 100 in the SDG 9 ranking, demonstrating the University’s outstanding performance in knowledge transfer and the translation of research outcomes into impactful real-world applications.
Scientists from CityUHK have achieved a major breakthrough in the field of photovoltaic technology, successfully developing highly efficient and durable perovskite solar cells suitable for outdoor environments. It is expected to contribute to the wider adoption of solar power and advance global carbon neutrality goals.
Additionally, i2Cool, a start-up incubated by CityUHK’s HK Tech 300 programme, has developed a passive radiative cooling paint, which can lower the indoor temperature of buildings without consuming any electricity, demonstrating how laboratory technology can be “got off the ground”.
Professor Chun-Sing Lee, Acting President of CityUHK, said, “This outstanding ranking reaffirms CityUHK’s strong capabilities in innovation, infrastructure, and industry–academia collaboration. Moving forward, CityUHK will continue to promote sustainable development, actively nurture young entrepreneurs, support deep-tech startups, and leverage research outcomes to advance social welfare, thereby maintaining its leading position in innovative education and talent development.”
The GSDC 2026 brings together research, business, government and higher education to accelerate sustainable transformation. For the third consecutive year, CityUHK serves as the sole Green Innovation Partner at the Congress, affirming its dedication and commitment to striving towards a greener future.
To learn more about how CityUHK sustainability experts are sharing insights at the Congress, please visit the thematic website.
Please also visit Sustainability@CityUHK to learn more about CityUHK’s efforts to support the SDGs.