The University of Sopron is among the world's best in sustainability!

With a score of 8,605 points, the University of Sopron has successfully entered the global TOP 5% of this prestigious international ranking, which now includes 1,745 institutions from over 105 countries. This excellent result confirms its Gold Grade classification. It is important to note that only 20% of the world's universities make it into this highest class, which highlights the intensifying competition among the leaders in this field.

The University of Sopron's exceptional performance in the UI GreenMetric ranking is significantly supported by its unique expertise. The university is a leader in transmitting knowledge related to the intensive, sustainable management and utilisation of forest ecosystems and timber resources—the very foundation of a sustainable, forest-based economy. Beyond natural sciences, climate adaptation, and engineering research, the university approaches the complex issues of sustainability from creative industry, environmental education, pedagogy, as well as economic and social science perspectives.

Prof. Dr. Attila Fábián, Rector of the University of Sopron, stated: "Through our activities and performance in sustainability, our university is building both itself and the future. Our goal is to create an operational university culture that treats sustainability as a priority. This best practice can then spread beyond higher education into other sectors and the wider society. As Hungary's First Carbon Positive 'Green University,' we are maximally committed to all initiatives that serve economic, social, or environmental sustainability."

The 2025 UI GreenMetric evaluation focused on universities' efforts towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), examining the implementation of sustainability programmes and policies. The increasingly strict criteria for the 2025 ranking required comprehensive, university-wide evidence, often supported by detailed statistical data and maps, to validate sustainability-related activities.

Among the 13 participating Hungarian universities, the University of Sopron achieved the 3rd overall place nationally. Key areas where the university excelled include:

• 1st place nationally in the "Water" management dimension.
• 2nd place nationally in "Education and Research."
• 3rd place nationally in the "Energy and Climate Change" and "Setting and Infrastructure" key areas.
• 4th place nationally in the "Transportation" and "Waste" management dimensions.

The University of Sopron also continued its ascent on the European list, ranking 34th out of 360 participating European universities, marking a clear step forward in 2025.

This year's global top ranks were held by the Dutch Wageningen University & Research (1st), the British University College Cork (2nd), and the Dutch Nottingham Trent University (3rd).

The UI GreenMetric survey reflects the unified and joint efforts of the four faculties, scientific institutes, and the entire organisation of the University of Sopron, all working under the "Green University" concept. The institution also presents this commitment on its dedicated website: https://greenuniversity.uni-sopron.hu/kezdolap.

The full UI GreenMetric 2025 World Rankings are available here: https://greenmetric.ui.ac.id/rankings/overall-rankings-2025