Sweden’s University Tops QS World University Sustainability Rankings 2026

The latest edition of the QS World University Sustainability Rankings highlights expanding global participation and growing emphasis on environmental, social and governance performance in higher education. The 2026 rankings feature a record number of institutions, underscoring the rising importance of sustainability-driven teaching, research and governance.

Global Leaders in Sustainability

Lund University in Sweden has secured the number one position with a perfect score, its first time topping the index since the ranking began in 2023. The University of Toronto has moved to second place after two consecutive years at the top. UCL in London has climbed to third overall, while the University of Edinburgh and the University of British Columbia also rank within the top five.

Top 10 Institutions in 2026

Alongside the leaders, the list includes the London School of Economics, Imperial College London, UNSW Sydney, McGill University and the University of Manchester. These institutions have demonstrated strong commitments to sustainability impact across research, operations, outreach and institutional governance.

Growing Participation from India and Other Regions

This year’s edition features nearly 2,000 universities across 106 locations. The United States leads with 240 institutions, followed by China with 163 and the United Kingdom with 109. India has 103 universities in the rankings and shows significant momentum with 26 debut entries, second only to Mainland China’s 49 new entrants.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Lund University ranks first in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026.
• Nearly 2,000 universities from 106 locations were assessed.
• The US, China, UK and India have the highest number of ranked institutions.
• The rankings assess ESG impact including environmental, social and governance indicators.

Sustainability as a Key Evaluation Metric

The QS Sustainability Rankings evaluate institutions based on measurable sustainability outcomes, including climate action, social impact, responsible governance and community engagement. With expanding global participation and strong showings from Asian and European institutions, the 2026 rankings continue to reinforce sustainability as a core pillar of modern higher education.