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Henrik Smith: Systematic Efforts Behind Lund University's Top Sustainability Ranking

By anna_maria [dot] erling [at] cec [dot] lu [dot] se (Anna Maria Erling) - published 10 December 2024
Lund University. Photo.
Lund University. Photo: Kennet Ruona.

Lund University has achieved third place globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings, according to a press release issued by the university on Tuesday. The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability evaluates approximately 1,750 institutions worldwide on their contributions to sustainable development. Lund University ranks first in Sweden, second in Europe, and third globally.

Henrik Smith, Professor of Animal ecology, Chair of the Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC), and Coordinator for the strategic research area BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate), is both delighted and unsurprised by the ranking.

“Both! It’s not surprising that we rank highly, but of course, it’s a pleasant surprise that we ranked as high as we did,” he says.

What explains Lund University's top ranking?

“A systematic effort has been made over a long period to strengthen Lund University's sustainability profile, through initiatives such as the Sustainability Forum and the sustainability strategy that has guided our work. There are also a number of high-profile interdisciplinary activities that have likely contributed, such as the Agenda 2030 Graduate School, the Knowledge for Sustainable Development conference, and interdisciplinary units like CEC, LUCSUS, and the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), as well as sustainability initiatives within our strategic research areas.”

As a pioneer of interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability at Lund University, what role do you think your initiatives have played in the ranking?

“Of course, I feel proud of my contributions on a day like this. However, it’s important to remember that the ranking is primarily the result of the work carried out over a long period by a large number of sustainability-engaged researchers and other staff members across the university.”

What direction would you like to see the university take moving forward in terms of sustainability?

“It’s crucial that the university doesn’t become complacent but continues to prioritize sustainability in research and education. Collaboration often requires interdisciplinarity, so the university must facilitate the development of research, education, and collaboration across departmental and faculty boundaries.”

Link to Lund University’s press release:
https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/lund-university-ranked-third-world-qs-sustainability-ranking

Facts: QS World University Rankings: Sustainability

The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability is a framework showcasing how universities are addressing global sustainability challenges. This is the third year of the ranking, and Lund University's third-place position marks a rise of five places compared to last year’s eighth position.

The ranking evaluates universities in three main areas: Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance.

  • Environmental Impact includes three subcategories: Sustainable Education, Sustainable Institutions, and Sustainable Research.
  • Social Impact includes five subcategories: Employability and Opportunities, Equality, Quality of Life, Education Impact, and Knowledge Exchange.
  • Governance assesses whether an institution has strong governance practices, such as transparent decision-making, an ethical organizational culture, student representation in governance bodies, and financial transparency.

In the Environmental Impact category, Lund University ranks 11th overall, with its best performance in Environmental Research, where it ranks second globally, scoring 99.8 out of 100.

Lund University’s Vice-Chancellor, Erik Renström, highlights that the institution's success is partly due to its outstanding climate-related research.

Among 602 evaluated European universities, Lund ranks second, and among 17 Swedish universities, it is first.

Of course, I feel proud of my contributions on a day like this. However, it’s important to remember that the ranking is primarily the result of the work carried out over a long period by a large number of sustainability-engaged researchers and other staff members across the university.

Page manager: anna_maria [dot] erling [at] cec [dot] lu [dot] se | 10 Dec 2024