26 January 2026 Lincoln University ranks in top 100 sustainable universities for fifth consecutive year

Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University has been ranked in the top 100 sustainable universities worldwide for the fifth year running.

In the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings for 2025, Lincoln University jumped to 78th place overall, up a further five places on its 2024 ranking of 85th.

The achievement comes as the total number of participating universities in the GreenMetric sustainability ranking system surged from 1,147 in 2024 to 1,745 in 2025.

Lincoln University is the only New Zealand university participating in the GreenMetric global sustainability ranking system operated by Universitas Indonesia (UI).

In 2025, universities from 105 countries participated in the UI GreenMetric ranking system, which rates each institution on their commitment and actions towards sustainability, based on six environmental sustainability indicators: Setting and Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Waste, Water, Transportation, Education and Research.

Lincoln University scored 8,725 points out of a maximum of 10,000 points, achieving its highest rankings of 44th in the Transportation indicator and 52nd in the Education and Research indicator.

Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Grant Edwards, is also Chair of the University’s Sustainability Taskforce. He said the GreenMetric ranking system provided a valuable mechanism for the University to measure its sustainability performance on the global stage.

“Some of our recent campus operational upgrades — for example the electrification of our campus, our commercial-scale solar energy generation, transitioning our vehicle fleet to EVs, and offsetting our air travel emissions through funding campus and community sustainability initiatives — are reflected in our high global GreenMetric ranking.

“Lincoln University is focused on being an exemplar of sustainable practices for the land-based sector, and our continued ranking in the top 100 sustainable universities worldwide clearly demonstrates our commitment to this vision.”

The University’s jump to 52nd in the Education and Research indicator — ranking universities on their course content — is also significant. This indicator measures the degree to which each university supports its students, academics, staff and stakeholders on their personal sustainability journeys.

“Lincoln University is Aotearoa’s only specialist land-based university, and our distinctive, innovative and dedicated teaching is leading positive and impactful change in land-based sectors in Aotearoa and globally,” said Professor Edwards.

“Our students and researchers are focused on developing sustainable practices, sharing knowledge, leading innovation and showcasing the application of solutions to global sustainability challenges.”

Results summary for Lincoln University

44th for Transportation

52nd for Education and Research

114th for Setting and Infrastructure

165th for Energy and Climate Change

241st for Water

263rd for Waste 

The international GreenMetric network

UI GreenMetric World University Rankings is an initiative of the University of Indonesia. A non-profit operation, it publishes annual university rankings on sustainability.

Participating universities complete a questionnaire and join workshops and events that are held throughout each year. From there, each university’s assessment is based on three pillars – environmental, economic and social value – and incorporates the six indicators of Setting and Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Waste, Water, Transportation, Education and Research.