This is most likely the first time that a Swedish or Nordic university has been ranked best in the world in one of the major rankings. This year’s ranking includes about 2,000 assessed universities, an increase on previous years. Among them are 600 universities in Europe, 22 of those being in Sweden. So, out of all these universities, Lund University comes out on top. I am lost for words.
It is important to remember that our work on sustainability is not for the sake of achieving a high ranking. Our sustainability work is undertaken mainly because of the enormous crisis of sustainability facing the planet; averting it requires knowledge and people with the skills and expertise to tackle these difficult issues. Our research and education linked to sustainable development can make a contribution here.
Others’ opinions matter to us. Students, staff and colleagues consider it important that we work on sustainability and that we do it well. The results in the QS Sustainability Ranking are proof that we are doing just that.
Even if our work on sustainability is not motivated by rankings, this recognition brings us great pleasure. Being ranked number one in the world is the result of diligent work by a great many people over a long time. This success belongs to everyone at the University. Sustainability and the various Sustainable Development Goals have been integrated into education at all the faculties, and researchers from all faculties have published thousands of articles that build our understanding of the sustainability challenges and possible solutions. When it comes to environmental research, we rank third in the world. However, alongside the core tasks of research and education, the ranking also takes into account how we govern and manage our university, including both student influence and transparency. In this area, we are ranked number one in the world.
Lund University would never have succeeded in this alone. As a country, Sweden has invested heavily in sustainability. This is immediately visible in the ranking – certain metrics measure data at a national level and Swedish investments have enabled a large proportion of the research and education linked to sustainability that we have conducted. The excellent cooperation we have with the municipalities of Lund, Malmö and Helsingborg on sustainability issues has facilitated tangible major initiatives in this area. Sustainability challenges and how we might work to address them are often on the agenda in our meetings with large and small businesses alike. Thank you to all, we share this achievement with you.
Now that we have got over the initial shock, let us rejoice and celebrate. At the same time, we will keep working. Sadly, the world is really no nearer a trajectory of sustainable development than it was when the Brundtland Commission first coined the term in 1987. In concrete terms, our efforts mean even more research and better education linked to sustainable development. In November, for example, Lund University joined the international research project “U21 Nature Positive Coalition”. This is a project that aims to test new biodiversity metrics that are intended for use by companies and in new markets. Another example is the conference “Knowledge for Sustainable Development 2025 – Breaking barriers to climate solutions”, which we are arranging along with the University of Cambridge. It will take place in Lund on 9 December.
So, we will be multitasking – celebrating while rolling our sleeves up and getting on with the work. We want to do these things along with everyone who has been involved and would like to help.
Hooray and thank you!
/Per Mickwitz
Links:
- Lund University ranked best in the world in sustainability
- A seminar about rankings will be held the 5 December: Behind the numbers - Lund University’s results in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026
- QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026 – topuniversities.com
- U21 Nature Positive Coalition project
- Conference “Knowledge for Sustainable Development 2025 – Breaking barriers to climate solutions”
- Lund University in rankings: Lund university Rankings
- Find out how you can work more sustainably: Sustainable at work
