NTU wins the 2024 “National Sustainable Development Awards” for exerting influence in higher education

National Taiwan University (NTU) has embraced the sustainability mission both on campus and in society, actively addressing critical global issues such as climate change and sustainable development. This year, NTU was honored with the 2024 “National Sustainable Development Award” by the Executive Yuan. This prestigious recognition not only affirms NTU's achievements in sustainable governance but also highlights its outstanding influence among higher education institutions. The award ceremony took place on December 19, 2024, with Premier Jung-Tai Cho presenting the award and Executive Vice President Shih-Torng Ding accepting it on behalf of NTU.

The “National Sustainable Development Award”, organized by the National Council for Sustainable Development under the Executive Yuan, recognizes exemplary organizations that implement 18 Taiwan Sustainable Development Goals (TSDG) and contribute to achieving the 2050 net-zero emissions target. Evaluation criteria include sustainable operations, green procurement, circular economy, disaster preparedness, inclusive and diverse working space, gender equality, digitization, and information accessibility. The award also considers the candidates’ ability to establish cross-disciplinary and regional partnerships and thereby promote sustainable models.

NTU has made sustainable development its core value, vigorously pursuing low-carbon transformation goals. In 2020, NTU became the first university in Asia to achieve sustainable disinvestment and announced its carbon neutrality target for 2048. The university also began publishing annual reports on university social responsibility (USR) and sustainability, reviewing its progress on various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Beyond the campus, NTU actively expands its sustainability impact. In 2022, it initiated the Taiwan University Alliance for Sustainable Governance, collaborating with key domestic universities to advance sustainable governance in higher education. In 2023, NTU joined the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) to share sustainability practices with global partners.

NTU's efforts in sustainability have received widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally. It has topped the CommonWealth Magazine's University Social Responsibility Survey for four consecutive years and achieved global top-10 rankings in three SDGs in the 2024 THE University Impact Rankings. Furthermore, NTU ranked 74th globally in the latest 2025 QS World University Sustainability Rankings (4th in Asia, 1st in Taiwan), underscoring its significant contributions to sustainable development.

Looking ahead, NTU will continue to uphold its motto, “Integrity, Diligence, Fidelity, and Compassion,” while proactively addressing global changes. The university aims to leverage its influence in higher education, nurture innovative and leadership-driven talents, and serve as a vital pillar for the nation. NTU is committed to collaborating with society to create a sustainable future.