City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) is committed to promoting global sustainability, championing a green environment and empowering change by conducting global research, focusing on meeting the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Nature Index 2025 Energy Supplement ranked CityUHK an impressive 25th globally among the Leading 200 Institutions and 9th globally among the Top 50 Rising Institutions, as well as first in Hong Kong in both categories.

Focusing on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), the Nature Index 2025 Energy Supplement compiles the rankings by identifying SDG 7-related research published in top international journals, such as Nature and Science. The Leading 200 Institutions ranked the world's top institutions based on their SDG 7-related research output from 2019 to 2024. The Top 50 Rising Institutions ranked institutions by the change in their SDG 7-related research output over the same period.

Between 2019 and 2024, CityUHK published 564 SDG 7-related research papers in top international journals, as identified by the Nature Index, showcasing the University’s strong performance and dedication to tackling global energy challenges through innovative research.

The University places strong emphasis on SDG 7. It was the first university in Hong Kong to establish a School of Energy and Environment, and it set up the Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy to develop groundbreaking research and practical applications.

Between 2019 and 2023, CityUHK faculty and researchers published more than 2,900 research papers related to affordable and clean energy. Additionally, it has collaborated with CLPe to install nearly 2,000 high-efficiency bifacial solar panels on the rooftop space of 30 campus buildings, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 450 tonnes a year, implementing a green campus development concept.