On December 12, 2024, UI GreenMetric announced the results of the 2024 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings in São Paulo, Brazil. Hosted by the Universidade de São Paulo, the event highlighted global achievements in advancing environmental sustainability within higher education institutions.
The ceremony adopted a hybrid format, enabling participants from universities across the globe to join either in person or virtually. This inclusive approach showcased the collective commitment to driving systemic change for a more sustainable future. Attendees came together to celebrate the collaborative efforts of universities dedicated to creating greener campuses and fostering environmental stewardship.
This year, UI GreenMetric achieved a remarkable milestone with 1,477 participating universities across 95 countries, marking an increase of nearly 300 new institutions compared to last year. This growing participation showcases the increasing awareness of the importance of taking an active role in shaping more resilient and environmentally conscious campus communities. Furthermore, it emphasizes that every institution joining this year is a champion, signaling their commitment to transforming their campuses with more sustainable and environmentally friendly operations.
Notable recognition was given to the top 10 most sustainable universities, setting an example with their innovative approaches and transformative initiatives. Here is the list of the ten most sustainable universities:
1. Wageningen University and Research - Netherlands
2. Nottingham Trent University - United Kingdom
3. University of Groningen - Netherlands
4. University College Cork - Ireland
5. Universidade de São Paulo - Brazil
6. Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld - Germany
7. University of California, Davis - USA
8. University of Nottingham - United Kingdom
9. Università di Bologna - Italy
10. University of Connecticut – USA
For a complete view of this year’s rankings, all results can be accessed through this link.
Along with the notable recognition of the 10 most sustainable universities, UI GreenMetric also presented special awards during the event. These included:
• “The Most Active National Coordinator of UI GreenMetric World University Ranking Network” to Universidad El Bosque, Colombia
• “The Most Active New Participant University in Latin America” to Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Ecuador
• “The Best New Participating University” to University of Augsburg, Germany
• “The Most Sustainably Improved University” to Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
The event not only served as a celebration but also as a venue for collaboration and the exchange of ideas. The program continued with a seminar on the circular economy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where participants representing institutions from around the world showcased their best practices. This provided an opportunity for valuable lessons to be shared and learned among participants. UI GreenMetric extends its highest appreciation to Universidade de São Paulo for hosting the 2024 awarding ceremony and to the National Coordinator of UI GreenMetric World University Rankings in Brazil for their continuous collaboration and unwavering commitment to transforming universities into leaders in achieving a sustainable future.
We eagerly invite more institutions to become part of this global movement and take the lead in driving sustainable transformation as we will open the UI GreenMetric Questionnaire for 2025. Next year, the journey continues at the University of Chinan, Chinese Taipei, as the host of the awarding ceremony. We are excited to see the University of Chinan’s leadership and initiatives as they take center stage in promoting sustainability on a global platform!
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Written by Riska P. Hariyadi - Communication Specialist UI GreenMetric
