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The most sustainable universities in Europe 2024

Choosing where to study abroad is a big decision. If you want to make sure that your university respects the environment and operates in a sustainable way, there are ways to find out. One of them are sustainability rankings - read on to learn more:

Why is sustainability important?

We are in the midst of a climate crisis. Increasing levels of greenhouse gases and pollution have found us and our world on a knife edge of catastrophic climate change. We need to take action! And it is up to everyone to play their part, including international students like yourself. Now more than ever, it is vital for us to make smart, well-considered choices.

Read more: What students can do to save the planet

Universities have always been seen as beacons of hope - factories of future greatness! So, it is fitting that universities should be leading the way in sustainability. And you can contribute to positive global change by choosing a sustainable university - or challenging your university to follow the example of green universities elsewhere.

Sustainability Rankings

Every year the UI Green Metric World University Ranking shows the most environmentally friendly universities. The categories included in the rankings are:

• Setting and infrastructure 馃尦: How green is the university and how considerate is it towards the environment? Have they made green spaces and are they using sustainable practices?
• Energy and climate change 鈿�: How energy efficient is the university? Are they reducing greenhouse gases and making adaptations towards green energy and renewables?
• Waste 鈾伙笍: Are recycling and sustainability being promoted around campus? Are there initiatives to encourage waste reduction and treatment?
• Water 馃寠: Is the university working to reduce its water consumption?
• Transportation 馃殟: Has the university limited the use of private vehicles and are they promoting public transport and other green transportation methods, such as cycling?
• Education and research 馃懇‍馃彨: Is the university promoting and teaching sustainability? Are they contributing to the global effort through teaching and research?

Where does your university rank in the worlds top 10 most sustainable universities of 2023? You can find out for yourself on the . Have a look below for a summary of the most sustainable institutions.

The top 10 greenest universities in Europe

Rank in Europe	University	Country
1	Wageningen University & Research	Netherlands
2	Nottingham Trent University	United Kingdom
3	Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld (Trier University of Applied Sciences)	Germany
4	University of Groningen	Netherlands
5	University College Cork	Ireland
6	University of Nottingham	United Kingdom
7	University of Bremen	Germany
8	Dublin City University	Ireland
9	University of Bologna	Italy
10	University of Southern Denmark	Denmark

 

1. Wageningen University & Research 馃嚦馃嚤

Wageningen University has consistently ranked as the number one “greenest” university in the world since 2017. Wageningen has a special focus on the theme “healthy food and living environment”. As a life sciences university, all of their programmes revolve around topics such as the environment, agriculture, and sustainability.

2. Nottingham Trent University 馃嚞馃嚙

Another Nottingham-based university, NTU is working hard at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (). They are one of the first universities to integrate these goals into their curriculum. Nottingham Trent offers a wide range of environmentally focused courses, including Bachelor’s courses in Climate Change; Ecology and Conservation; Environmental Sciences; and Masters courses in Conservation and Endangered Species Recovery.

3. Environmental Campus Birkenfeld (Trier University of Applied Sciences) 馃嚛馃嚜

Established in 1996, the Environmental Campus of Trier UAS in Southwest Germany can claim to be a „Zero Emission University“. Its teaching and research activities are fully dedicated to Environmental Sciences, Biology, Ecology, and related subjects.

4. University of Groningen 馃嚦馃嚤

The University of Groningen has an entire department dedicated to their green initiatives – the “Green Office”. They work to strengthen and integrate sustainability throughout the university and to support staff and students to be greener. They also have a strong network within the field of sustainability, known as the Sustainability Sounding Board. There is a range of courses relevant to sustainability including a range of science courses and for the business-minded, Global Responsibility and Leadership.

5. University College Cork 馃嚠馃嚜

At UCC; sustainability and the environment are at the heart of many of their programmes – from green energy to environmental sciences and law. Staff and students are encouraged to take responsibility for their personal actions and choices, and are supported by a sustainability management group. There is a Green Campus Committee made up of students and staff, and a Green Campus Forum; all working towards achieving a “thriving, equitable and ecologically healthy world”.

6. University of Nottingham 馃嚞馃嚙

The University of Nottingham is a real champion of sustainability: They were ranked in the top five most sustainable universities for the last ten years! This is thanks to their goal that environmental sustainability should “remain firmly on the university’s agenda”. The university’s award-winning campus includes a woodland, as well as extensive green spaces and parkland. Nottingham offers a range of sustainability courses and boasts a first-of-its-kind carbon neutral lab, the Centre for Sustainable Chemistry.

7. University of Bremen 馃嚛馃嚜

Awarded with the Green Campus Label by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for its commitment to sustainability, the University of Bremen has implemented a wide range of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, such as reducing energy consumption, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, and increasing eco-friendly transport options. This university also runs a number of research projects related to this topic, including its Sustainability Research Centre, which focuses on the development of environmentally friendly solutions for the future. The campus also hosts a number of related events and activities, such as regular lectures on sustainability, workshops and seminars.

8. Dublin City University 馃嚠馃嚜

Yet another Irish university in the top 10: Dublin City is a university dedicated to sustainability. The university has implemented a range of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including energy-efficient buildings, waste reduction programs, and sustainable transportation options. DCU prioritizes green spaces on campus, promoting biodiversity and providing recreational areas for students and staff. Moreover, the university actively engages in research and education on sustainability, fostering a culture of environmental consciousness among its students.  

9. University of Bologna 馃嚠馃嚬

The University of Bologna is the oldest university in the world - and with a 1,000 year history, sustainability is obviously important. Beyond Bachelors and Masters in “green” subjects such as Sustainable Agriculture or Resource Economics they have implemented various successful projects to protect the environment. They encourage students and staff to live more sustainably, for example by gifting reusable water bottles or by offering subsidised public transport.

10. University of Southern Denmark 馃嚛馃嚢

Another university working towards the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. They support their staff and students in “climate-friendly conduct” and have a sustainability plan that extends to their suppliers, procurement, and disposal. Their new Climate Centre addresses “the long-term societal, technological and political climate challenges through a coordinated and interdisciplinary effort”.

Top eco-friendly universities in other countries

Not every sustainable university can make it to the top of a crowded list - but here are a few of the greenest universities in some European countries not represented in the top 10:

• Finland: Häme University of Applied Sciences (19th worldwide)
• Hungary: University of Pécs (23rd worldwide), University of Szeged (77th)
• Czechia: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (36th worldwide)

How “green universities” are doing their part to save the environment (and what you should look for)

There are many ways that universities are becoming more sustainable. Some changes must be made by the university but there are also changes that we must make. Everyone can contribute to making their education and research more environmentally conscious.

• Promoting a culture of sustainability: This is key because change can only happen if it is encouraged and supported by universities themselves. For example by making it the norm for students and staff to use reusable water bottles and coffee cups; by making it easy to recycle and reduce waste; and generally, by creating an atmosphere of sustainability and environmental conscience.
• Teaching sustainability: Most universities now offer a range of courses on sustainability; but it’s even more important that sustainability and environmental impact are part of every curriculum. Even degrees in Engineering, Hospitality, Finance and virtually any other discipline should cover the climate crisis and sustainability to some extent - if they don’t, they are simply not up-to-date and relevant.
• Sustainable buildings: Modern buildings are often optimised to reduce energy needed for heating (and cooling, in warmer corners of Europe).
• Renewable energy & power savings efforts: Using green energy (rather than fossil fuels) is one of the best ways to help the environment. Good universities consider this, and also use LED lighting and other energy efficient solutions across campus to reduce their environmental impact.
• Reduced and more sustainable staff travel: You may have met International Officers at a student fair - and that probably means they had to fly there. But more universities are making efforts to reduce international travel (or at least compensate the CO2 footprint) and, in their cities, encourage the use of public transport.
• Recycling: Recycling is great way to reduce the amount of waste we create. By providing lots of recycling points around buildings and campuses, universities are making it quick and easy for staff and students to recycle as much as they can.
• Responsibly sourced food: Universities have lots of hungry mouths to feed! For example, meat can be replaced with vegetables to lower environmental impact.
• Online resources: Replacing paper with digital solutions can be an important contribution to reducing the environmental impact of education.

Take the next step now:
Find your university in Europe

 

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