Ranking. Unipd first in Italy in the QS Sustainability ranking for the second consecutive year
18.11.2025
The international ranking agency QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) published today, 18 November 2025, the results of the new edition of the QS Sustainability Ranking, the most recent addition to the Quacquarelli & Simmonds family of rankings. For the second year in a row, the University of Padua ranks first in Italy, 62nd in Europe and 121st globally, out of 2,002 universities worldwide (+14% compared to last year’s edition) admitted and evaluated.
The assessment was conducted by QS, in collaboration with Elsevier, Yale University and the Academic Freedom Index, using the set of universities already analysed in the global QS WUR ranking and further selecting them on the basis of the sustainability policies implemented by each institution. Three areas were considered: social (45%), environmental (45%) and governance (10%), adopting an ESG (Environment–Social–Governance) approach that offers an alternative perspective to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) of the UN 2030 Agenda.
In the “social” area, indicators evaluate: the policies implemented by an institution on gender equality, equal opportunities, inclusion and anti-discrimination (Equality, 12%); employment prospects and links with industry (Employability and Outcomes, 10%); the institution’s ability to collaborate with other organisations and to share and transfer knowledge to universities in emerging countries (Knowledge Exchange, 10%); the impact of each university on the dissemination and improvement of education (Impact on Education, 7%); and, finally, the institution’s commitment to promoting health and personal wellbeing (Health & Wellbeing, 5%).
In the “environmental” area, evaluations consider the education offered to students on environmental issues (Environmental Education, 17%); the partnerships, policies and strategies implemented to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (Environmental Sustainability, 15%); and research in sustainable energy and production, linked to specific UN SDGs (Environmental Research, 13%).
According to QS, for an institution to be sustainable and have an impact on sustainability, the aspect of “good governance” is also essential. This third area (Good Governance, 10%) includes the presence of high-quality leadership, transparent and well-documented decision-making processes, engagement with local social stakeholders and the involvement of the student community.
Beyond the overall result, the University of Padua leads nationally in two indicators: Environmental Research and Health & Wellbeing. The University has also improved its performance compared to last year in the area of Social Impact, particularly in the Equality and Knowledge Exchange indicators.
“This is an outstanding result that reflects the University of Padua’s ongoing commitment to sustainable and responsible growth,” comments Mara Thiene, Delegate for Joint Degrees and International Rankings at the University of Padua. “It highlights the quality of our teaching and the diversity of our study programmes, as well as our research efforts in developing new ways of producing energy and goods. We hope that our investment in innovation—promoting sustainable mobility, improving energy efficiency in our facilities and ensuring responsible resource management—will help reduce our impact on the ecosystem.
With regard to inclusion and equity, we continue to offer scholarships and targeted support programmes, ensuring equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their economic or social background, with particular attention to those escaping dramatic geopolitical situations. This recognition encourages us to continue on this path, so that our university can maintain its role as a benchmark institution.”
