Vilnius University Rises to 315th Globally in Sustainability Rankings

Sustainability has become an increasingly vital topic as the world faces pressing environmental and societal challenges. The concept involves ensuring that current needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own, spanning environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Universities, as key drivers of knowledge and innovation, are uniquely positioned to lead efforts in addressing these challenges by integrating sustainability into their strategies, research, and education.

This global shift is evident in the changing priorities of higher education institutions, which now align more closely with benchmarks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainability-focused rankings, such as the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, highlight the progress universities are making in areas like environmental responsibility, social impact, and governance. These rankings not only encourage institutions to implement sustainable practices but also recognize those at the forefront of this movement.

VU Among the 315 Most Environmentally Sustainable Universities in the World

Vilnius University (VU) exemplifies such leadership. For the third consecutive year, VU has been acknowledged as one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the world, achieving a remarkable improvement in its QS Sustainability Ranking. In 2025, VU advanced to the 315th position globally out of 1,744 institutions, a significant leap from 474th place the previous year. Moreover, VU is the leading university in Lithuania and is ranked 147th out of 556 European universities.

Further demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, VU has launched an innovative new study programme, Sustainability and Future Societies. This programme, the first of its kind in the Baltic region, will welcome its first students in September 2025. The programme is designed to equip future leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to address sustainability challenges and contribute to building a more resilient society.

Integrating Everyday Actions into Sustainability Efforts

Dr. Mahyar Kamali Saraji, a researcher at VU’s Kaunas Faculty Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics in the field of Energy Economics, highlights the importance of everyday choices in fostering a sustainable future. He emphasizes that “sustainability is not about perfection but about progress,” urging individuals to adopt small, practical steps that collectively lead to significant change.

Simple Steps Toward Sustainability:

• Reusing: Embracing second-hand items, participating in clothing swaps, and repurposing materials not only reduce waste but also promote the circular economy.
• Sharing: Using shared transportation services, renting seldom-used items, and participating in shared accommodations can significantly lower environmental impacts.
• Energy and Water Conservation: Turning off lights, unplugging devices, and taking shorter showers are small changes with big impacts.
• Reducing Plastic Waste: Opting for reusable containers, bottles, and utensils helps mitigate plastic pollution.
• Local and Seasonal Products: Choosing locally produced and seasonal food reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and supports local farmers.
• Reducing Food Waste: Planning meals, properly storing food, and using leftovers can prevent unnecessary waste.

Dr. Saraji believes that these small steps, though seemingly modest, create a ripple effect, driving collective progress for the planet.

Vilnius University Achieves 83rd Place Globally for Environmental Sustainability

The QS Sustainability Rankings evaluate universities based on three categories: Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance. VU’s Environmental Impact indicator was highly rated, securing the 268th spot globally. Within this category, the institution’s Environmental Sustainability Index climbed more than 150 places, from 254th to 83rd. The Environmental Impact category evaluates institutions based on environmental sustainability, education, and research. This indicator reflects whether the institution develops strategies, conducts research, and implements educational activities with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. It uses data from QS Rankings, universities themselves, Elsevier, and global organisations such as UNESCO and the World Bank.

A Holistic Approach: Education, Social Impact, and Governance

In the Social Impact category, VU ranked particularly well in the subcategories of Impact of Education and Equality, achieving 380th and 386th places respectively. Social Impact is assessed across five aspects: employability and opportunities, equality, health and wellbeing, impact of education, and knowledge exchange. For Governance, VU was ranked 392nd. This category evaluates whether institutions uphold principles of open decision-making, foster an ethical organisational culture, involve student representatives in governance structures, and maintain transparent financial reporting.

Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

To qualify for the Sustainability Rankings, higher education institutions must demonstrate a commitment to combating climate change, align research with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and meet QS Rankings criteria. Dr. Saraji underscores that this is a collective effort, stating, “Small, daily actions can make a big difference, so every effort counts in building a more sustainable world.”

In conclusion, the synergy of individual actions—such as adopting eco-friendly habits—and institutional leadership exemplified by VU’s achievements showcases a powerful model for addressing global sustainability challenges. By combining everyday changes with systemic academic efforts, we can collectively work toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

Source – Vilnius University