Lund University ranked best in the world in sustainability

Source: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/lund-university-ranked-best-world-sustainability Parent: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/university-glance/lund-university-rankings

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Published 18 November 2025

The ranking measures everything from research quality to how the university contributes to health and well-being. (Photo: Kennet Ruona)

Lund University has climbed to first place in the world in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026. The ranking includes around 2,000 higher education institutions from about 100 countries and measures how universities contribute to a sustainable future – through research, education, and the way they operate as organisations.

“Humble, proud, and inspired to continue moving forward – that’s how I would summarise the feeling that Lund University is now ranked number one in the world. It is a fantastic recognition of our work and confirmation that we are on the right path. I am incredibly proud of our staff, students, alumni, and all the organisations and companies we collaborate with – the success belongs just as much to them as to the university,” says Erik Renström, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University.

Behind the sustainability ranking, which measures both environmental and social sustainability, is the London-based analytics company Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). QS is one of the world’s most influential university rankings and is used globally as a measure of academic quality, impact, and sustainability.

The sustainability ranking, which has existed since 2022, primarily measures the quality of the universities’ own research and education, as well as their operations as a whole.

“Sustainability has long been a clear priority for the university, and our way of working is shaped by a Scandinavian tradition of trust, collaboration, and openness,” says Erik Renström.

A smaller part of the ranking is based on national statistics – for example employment rates, equality, public health, and the country’s research and development efforts.

”As one of the most sustainable countries in the world, it is little surprise that Sweden is home to the top university in the world in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026,” says Jessica Turner, CEO of QS Quacquarelli Symonds.

Three dimensions of sustainability

QS is based on three categories: environmental impact, social impact, and governance.

Environmental impact – Lund University is #1 in the world (100 out of 100 points)

This category assesses both universities’ research and education and how the institution works to reduce its climate impact. Lund University ranks at the top globally thanks to strong research in climate, energy systems, sustainable production and consumption, biodiversity, oceans and sustainable cities – areas that directly relate to six of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Ambitious climate goals, energy efficiency, and transparency in sustainability work also contribute to the top position.

This measures the universities’ work on equality, health, cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the societal benefit of their education. Lund University is ranked number one in the world in the subcategory equality and second in health and well-being – providing evidence of strong values, an inclusive environment, and long-term work towards social sustainability. The area where Lund University has the greatest potential for improvement is employability, which is largely influenced by global employer awareness of the university and the visibility of alumni achievements.

Governance – Lund University is #1 in the world (100 out of 100 points)

This measures how universities are led and organised. Lund University receives top marks for transparency, ethical leadership, student influence, and financial responsibility – factors that show that sustainability is embedded in both the culture and decision-making processes.

”The QS Sustainability Rankings act as a critical benchmarking tool for universities to evaluate their progress across social and environmental sustainability. Lund excels in key areas, ranking first in the world for governance and equality and second for environmental sustainability and health and well-being,” says Jessica Turner.

”This success is testament to the commitment of the university's staff, students, alumni and leaders. Encouraging sustainable change, just as Lund has demonstrated this year, is exactly what drove QS to launch this ranking. Long may Lund University's impact last and we hope its success inspires international peers to advance their own sustainability goals,” she continues.

Raising the bar

The position as number one in the world creates new opportunities for Lund University in regards to strategic collaborations and partnerships – not least in research, innovation, and policy development. Sustainability dimensions already shape many of the new companies that have emerged from the university. Two examples are PluvioFlow, which simulates floods to strengthen society’s resilience, and Elonroad, which develops electric roads for ports, among other things– both based on research from Lund University. Another example is the edible coating for cucumbers designed to replace plastic, developed by an alumnus.

“At the same time, we remain humble, because we know that major challenges remain. Being number one raises the bar for us and gives us energy to continue driving development forward together with partners such as Imperial College London, University College London, and last year’s number one, the University of Toronto,” says Erik Renström.\ \ Video: Lund University – #1 in Sustainability\

Erik Renström, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University, comments on the ranking

\ More information:\ \ Sustainability at Lund University\ \ University in rankings\ \ QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026

Press contact:

For media inquiries directed to Erik Renström, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University, please contact Jonas Andersson: jonas [dot] andersson [at] kommunikation [dot] lu [dot] se \ +46 77 273 85 858

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