Sustainability Ranking Research Articles

Exploring the nexus between university sustainability practices and academic performance: An empirical analysis of the QS sustainability ranking and four world university rankings.

Universities, as agents of change, are expected to contribute to society's most pressing challenges, particularly the 21st century's central issue of sustainability. Amid growing expectations from governments, society, and an increasingly conscientious student body, universities have undergone significant institutional adjustments to incorporate sustainability into their core missions of education, research, and outreach. As universities worldwide increasingly engage in sustainability practices, the question arises: How do these sustainability endeavours correlate with academic performance on a global scale? This article, using data from the QS Sustainability Ranking and four prominent academic ranking (THEWUR, ARWU, QSWUR and USWUR), investigates this link. The study explores whether sustainability relates to the academic performance of universities, the validity of the relationship when academic scores of the four rankings are aggregated, and its dependence on country-level sustainability performance scores. Findings reveal that sustainability practices have a reflection on the university rankings, providing a global competitive advantage for universities. While this study incorporates aggregated scores as a methodological innovation addressing the lack of uniformity among ranking systems, it recommends the inclusion of university-level control variables (such as faculty expertise, university budget, infrastructure) and government and policy variables in future studies to ensure robustness of the results.

The Impact of Selected Eutectic Solvents on the Volatile Composition of Citrus lemon Essential Oil

The development of new materials for the controlled release of molecules represents a topic of primary importance in medicine, as well as in food science. In recent years, eutectic solvents have been applied as releasing media due to their improved capacity to interact with specific molecules, offering a broad range of tunability. Nevertheless, their application in essential oil dissolution are rare and more data are needed to develop new generations of effective systems. Herein, three eutectic systems, respectively, composed of choline chloride and ethylene glycol (1:2 molar ratio), methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide and ethylene glycol (molar ratio 1:5), and choline chloride and glycerol (molar ratio 1:1.5) were tested as materials for the controlled release of an essential oil derived from Citrus lemon leaves. Through static headspace fractionation, followed by gas chromatographic analysis, the performances of the three systems were assessed. The specific composition of DESs was pivotal in determining the releasing polar molecules as aldehydes and alcohols. A sustainability ranking based on the EcoScale tool highlighted the superior characteristics of the choline chloride–glycerol DES.

Rainwater harvesting through roofs and stormwater harvesting through pervious pavements: A Life Cycle Assessment and decision-making comparison

Water consumption and the building sector are among the top contributors to environmental impacts worldwide. Also, sustainable practices have been constantly encouraged in both sectors to mitigate water scarcity and provide resilience to cities. Thus, studies that provide an environmental assessment and discuss the decision-making process are essential for enabling the augmentation of sustainable practices. This research aims to contribute to the discussion on sustainability by conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) examples. LCA is the main methodology applied to perform environmental comparisons. First, a thorough inventory was obtained from previous works with different alternatives for water management within a university building, including drainage, paving and water supply functions. The inventory contemplates alternatives using rainwater and stormwater harvesting for non-potable water supply, including pervious pavements. Such alternatives were compared with Brazil's usual water supply systems, aiming at diminishing the total environmental burden. The methodology aspects of LCA were also regarded, such as an uncertainty assessment and a quality matrix of the processes used. Midpoint and endpoint categories were also regarded with their decision-making and uncertainty analysis. The main result is the understanding of the trade-offs between the proposed systems, with a significant reduction in water stress obtained in the alternative scenarios. However, such a decrease is accompanied by a slight increase in some impact categories. Rainwater harvesting through roofs is the most environmentally friendly alternative, although the Cultural Theory parameter definition impacts on the sustainability ranking. Alternative sustainable systems for water management still need validation in terms of LCA, while decision-making for sustainable and resilient cities also requires a robust scientific basis. Thus, in conclusion, alternative systems such as SUDS were obtained to be more sustainable than conventional paving, drainage and water supply in the case study, and the understanding of different benefits found in the LCA is important to the decision-making process.

ECO-TRANSFORMATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AS A PREREQUISITE FOR SUSTAINABLE RECOVERY OF UKRAINIAN REGIONS

The directions of eco-transformation of higher education institutions as an important factor in ensuring the sustainable recovery of the regions of Ukraine are examined in the article. The research is devoted to determining the essence and key aspects of eco-transformation in the university environment, taking into account the importance of its influence on the economic, social, and ecological development of regions. A review of foreign experience and modern practices implemented in green universities, including their positions in global sustainability rankings, implemented technological innovations and educational programs, is carried out. Special attention is paid to the role of ecologically oriented universities in the sustainable recovery of the regions of Ukraine and the strategic directions of ecological transformation of higher education institutions. The role of distance learning and digital innovations in the processes of eco-modernization is defined. Modern challenges and prospects of eco-transformation within the national educational system are highlighted. Conclusions about the importance and necessity of eco-transformation of higher education institutions of Ukraine for the sustainable recovery and development of regions are formed.

Developing a Comprehensive Framework for Assessing Airports’ Environmental Sustainability

The background of this research is environmental sustainability assessments in the aviation ecosystem, particularly concerning airports, which are getting significant attention from industry representatives, regulators, and researchers. A standardized and comprehensive approach is essential to uniformly address the global impact of these assessments across the industry. The main objective of this study is to propose a framework that encompasses the requirements of aviation regulators, as well as industry and academic metrics, aiming for a standardized approach to environmental sustainability assessments at airports. The methodology employs the Sum of Rankings Method to rank each airport across various environmental indicators. This approach was applied to five globally distributed airports, offering a diverse testing ground for assessing the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed metrics and validating the ranking framework. The results show that applying the framework across varied airport environments demonstrated its ranking viability and effectiveness, indicating that it can be successfully applied to different airport realities. The conclusion shows that the developed framework can be successfully applied, suggesting that it is a valid method for adoption in environmental airport sustainability rankings.

Leveraging an Uncertainty Methodology to Appraise Risk Factors Threatening Sustainability of Food Supply Chain

By diminishing the risk factors associated with the food supply chain (FSC), we have recourse to strengthen the food supply chain's resilience, decrease food waste, and increase its sustainability. Prioritizing and identifying the risk factors impacting the sustainability of the food supply chain is essential for managing uncertainty and averting unfavorable consequences. This study attempts to identify and rank the most significant risks affecting the sustainability of the food supply chain under an uncertain environment. We use the α-Discounting multi-criteria decision-making (α-D MCDM) method for the main three risk factors: the risks of supply, the risks of demand, and the risks of operations. The primary causes of the challenges in assessing the food supply chain's risk elements include inaccurate assessment data, DMs' subjective preferences, and DMs' differing opinions and thoughts about the criteria. Unfortunately, earlier research fell short of fully resolving these issues. A hybrid three-phase neutrosophic MCDM method is proposed by integrating triangular neutrosophic numbers (TNNs), TNN-AHP, and TNN-CoCoSo to close this gap. In this manner, it may efficiently handle ambiguity. The application of the suggested framework is then explored using the top six food and beverage businesses in the world: Nestle (A1), PepsiCo (A2), Coca-Cola (A3), Danon (A4), Anheuser-Busch InBev SA (A5), and Mondelez International (A6). The results show the sustainability rankings from best to worst, which were established on the groups of decision-makers assessments based on the importance of the risk factors that have to be handled. To gain additional insight into the rationale and resilience of this framework, sensitivity evaluation and comparative analysis have been employed in this study.

Environmental and economic sustainability assessment of the production and consumption of different types of coffee in the UK

The need for more sustainable production and consumption of coffee has received global attention, as coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. In an effort to help address this need, this study uses life cycle assessment, life cycle costing and multi-criteria decision analysis to evaluate its environmental and economic sustainability and identify the most sustainable coffee drink(s). Nine coffee drinks are evaluated: espresso, latte, cappuccino, Americano, drip-filter, coffee pod, spray- and freeze-dried instant, and instant coffee mix. To determine the sustainability of coffee from different consumption perspectives, three functional units are considered: one serving of coffee, 1 L of coffee, and 100 mg of caffeine. The system boundaries are from cradle to grave, comprising cultivation of green coffee beans, coffee production, transportation, consumption of coffee, and end-of-life waste management. The results show that the sustainability ranking of different coffee drinks changes depending on the functional unit considered. Instant coffee has the lowest environmental impacts and costs for the functional unit of one serving and 1 L of coffee, while coffee pods are the best option for the functional unit of 100 mg of caffeine. Espresso is the worst alternative for 1 L of coffee and latte is the least sustainable for the functional unit of one serving and 100 mg of caffeine. For all types of coffee and all functional units considered, cultivation of green coffee beans and milk production are the main hotspots for all impacts and costs, contributing 48–99.7 %. These findings will be of interest to the coffee industry, consumers, policy makers and other stakeholders interested in sustainable production and consumption of coffee.

Incorporating Life Cycle Assessment in the Green Metric Ranking: a Conceptual Approach

Integrating sustainability principles into their daily operations is an overarching goal of universities and higher education institutions (HEIs), as knowledge multipliers, have to perform (Filimonau et al., 2021).Various studies have demonstrated that the operational activities of universities cause GWP emissions and, in general, negative environmental impacts, due mainly to student and staff mobility, on-campus energy and water consumption, and waste production (Jürgens et al., 2023). Findler et al. (2019) outlined numerous analytical methods, ranging from input-output analysis to full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), for evaluating the carbon footprints of universities and colleges.Concurrently, a variety of tools have been devised to measure sustainability based on environmental metrics, such as the Green Metric (GM) ranking developed by Universitas Indonesia (UI). The GM, which is first in which tops university sustainability rankings (Marrone et al., 2018), rates HEIs by utilizing 51 criteria across 6 rating areas. Researchers analyzed the UI Green Metric World Ranking system to examine the requirements for a fair sustainability ranking of worldwide HEIs, although the latter were only examined in general without inspecting each item separately (Boiocchi et al., 2023).In order to lessen the environmental impacts of HEIs, recognized and robust methods must be used to identify appropriate and effective measures. LCA is a standardized (ISO 14040 and 14044) tool for quantifying and reducing environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle of a product, service, or organization.This study is focused on understanding how LCA can be integrated into GM, and more specifically, how it can assist in achieving a consistent and structured review of specific indexes such as EC4, EC7, EC8, WR2, and TR1.The analysis was conducted by comparing the items one by one. Such a method was implemented as a results of the authors' specialized background, the scientific literature of interest, and the adoption of a critical thinking approach.The study results emphasize the necessity of incorporating LCA into the environmental sustainability strategies of HEIs. This integration is crucial for developing a robust approach adaptable to various local contexts, enhancing the precision in assessing and improving HEIs' sustainability practices. Such a strategy will align HEIs' operational activities more effectively with sustainable development goals. The application of the conceptual approach to a case study is recommended.

Disclosure Compliance with Different ESG Reporting Guidelines: The Sustainability Ranking of Selected European and Hungarian Banks in the Socio-Economic Crisis Period

As the relevant European Union directives require in-depth sustainability reporting from large institutions, banks are among the concerned with disclosure obligations. Several institutions prepare self-structured recommendations by which companies are indirectly fostered to make their operation more sustainable through reporting and to help compliance with the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) regulations. However, in the preparation period, differences can be found in the actual sustainability disclosure practices across Europe (primarily by a western–eastern European relation). To examine this issue, this study aimed to investigate if there was any variation in the reporting compliance with aspects (key performance indicators—KPIs) of three reporting guidelines (Global Reporting Initiative—G4, Financial Services Sector Disclosures—GRI; Alliance for Corporate Transparency—ACT; ISO 26000:2010—ISO) between top European and Hungarian banks according to their 2021 sustainability/ESG reports, using content analysis-based disclosure scoring. The results revealed no significant differences among the general (aspect-pooled) scores for different guidelines, while the differences were significant for each guideline between the two bank groups. In the aspect-level evaluation, the European banks had higher scores in most cases, with the Hungarian banks receiving higher scores in 4 of 49 GRI, 1 of 16 ACT, and 2 of 37 ISO aspects. Significant correlations were indicated in disclosure score values between the two bank groups, which suggested similar preferences for the aspects demonstrated; however, elaboration levels differed. These findings showed that the European and Hungarian banks could be differentiated by their sustainability disclosure patterns. The results suggest a better CSRD-level preparedness of the top European banks than of the Hungarian ones, with the latter being introduced as a model group of the region. This reflects the need for more efficient adoption of best practices by financial institutions in the eastern parts of Europe.

Sustainability of European agri-food supply chain using MRP-PCI multicriteria analysis method

The need for a more sustainable agri-food system is a topic that has attracted growing interest in recent years. Several international and European policies such as Agenda 2030 and the European Green Deal have been defined with the aim of making agri-food systems more sustainable at all stages of the supply chain, from production to consumption. Particularly, the European Union concentrates several policies on it. Therefore, the assessment of the level of sustainability among the states of the European Union is a key aspect to properly address and evaluate the implementation of these policies. The objective of this paper is to measure the sustainability of the global agri-food supply chain (AFSC) of the European Union countries through the application of a multi-criteria analysis. In particular, the method used is the Multiple Reference Point Partially Compensatory Indicator, which allows the creation of composite indicators using different levels of compensation across them. A set of 50 indicators, referred to 2011 and 2019, were built and then divided into the three basic dimensions of sustainability (economic, social and environmental), aggregated into the four main AFSC sectors (agriculture, food industry, distribution, and consumption) in order to obtain an overall sustainability index. Through such an index we provided a sustainability ranking for the EU countries, while the analysis of dimensions of each sector contributed to increase the knowledge about the supply chain that can be used by decision-makers. According to the results, Italy achieved the best level of sustainability of the AFSC with a value of 48.53, followed by Sweden, Austria, Spain, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Slovakia. In relation to the different sectors, the biggest problems were observed in the consumption sector, where most countries did not perform well, especially for the social dimension (e.g. excess of overweight and obese persons). In contrast, the performance of the agricultural sector was good, with few exceptions, showing a fair state of sustainability.

Induction heating and induced healing evaluation of the asphalt concretes incorporating conductive aggregates exposed to microwave radiation

This study investigates the application of aggregate-based conductive additives, including steel slag, Iron slag, and ferrosilicon, in asphalt concretes for induction heating and induced healing purposes. The research focuses on evaluating the mechanical properties, induction heating capabilities, induced crack healing, environmental impacts, and cost of various conductive asphalt concretes. The Gray Relation Analysis (GRA) technique is then employed to determine the sustainability ranking of these mixtures based on the aforementioned criteria. The mechanical properties of the asphalt concretes were evaluated through the Indirect tensile strength at intermediate temperature and semi-circular bending tests at intermediate and low temperatures. The homogeneous induction heating rate of the mixtures was also examined. Additionally, the healing indices for the breaking-healing cycles were investigated. The environmental impacts and fabrication cost of conductive asphalt concretes were compared to identify the most sustainable conductive mixture with optimal performance and durability. The results demonstrate that the addition of aggregate-based conductive additives significantly improves the mechanical properties and homogeneous heating rates under microwave radiation. Furthermore, the conducted tests indicate that the introduced conductive asphalt concretes possess the ability to heal and restore their mechanical properties after damage or cracking. Moreover, the sustainability analysis reveals that the mixtures incorporating steel slag, especially asphalt concrete incorporating fine steel slag, are more sustainable and cost-effective compared to conventional asphalt mixtures. These findings provide valuable insights for road infrastructure and pavement design, aiming to incorporate innovative and environmentally friendly materials and methods to enhance the healing competencies and performance of flexible pavements.

Measuring the Impact of Higher Education in Promoting Sustainable Development Goals: Analysis of the Arab universities’ performance

Sustainability's global importance has amplified the role of universities in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, education, and community engagement. Aim: This study aims to provide valuable insights into the role of Arab universities in promoting sustainability within the context of global higher education. Approach and methods: This study analyzes the performance of 200 universities from 15 Arab countries in the THE IMPACT Rankings. Their performance was compared to 135 universities from three of the leading world-class higher education systems: Canada, UK, and USA. Results: A global demand for sustainable development, Arab universities face challenges in improving their contributions to the SDGs and sustainability rankings. Despite the impressive growth in the participation of Arab universities in THE IMPACT Rankings yet lags in quality and impact of Arab universities contributions towards SDGs. Conclusion: The policy implications underscore the importance of institutional commitment to sustainability in Arab universities, urging the alignment of policies, funding, and curriculum with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Arab universities need to bridge performance gaps, promote green initiatives, and contribute effectively to the achievement of SDGs while recognizing the diverse socio-economic context and priorities of the Arab region.

Beyond green campuses: Sustainability rankings as strategic tools for university branding

The paper introduces and compares four prominent sustainable university rankings: People & Planet’s University League, QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, and UI GreenMetric. In the paper, the authors analyse the methodologies, thereby revealing similarities, differences, and top global performers. Additionally, the positions of Hungarian universities are evaluated in these rankings. The study addresses the need for universities to provide more information on their impacts and examines the relationship between sustainability rankings and overall university rankings. Based on the analysis of two global university rankings, no evidence was found about global leaders being the top performers in sustainability dimensions. Large international universities can benefit from overall university rankings, while sustainability rankings might be a good opportunity for smaller universities to differentiate themselves from their competitors. To put it simply: if a university is not performing super well in education and research, focusing on sustainability issues can provide a pathway to achieving a favourable position in sustainability rankings, which offers an alternative recognition and competitive advantage.

INCREASING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF AN OPEN UNIVERSITY IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Digital transformation and globalization processes require universities to adapt to new challenges and demands of society and integrate the principles of sustainable development into all areas of their activities. Under martial law, the issue of increasing the competitiveness of universities is particularly relevant. Each university seeks to attract the most talented students, teachers, and researchers. One of the tools for assessing the competitiveness of universities is international rankings, including those aimed at measuring the achievements of universities in the field of sustainable development and their contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, which are an indicator of effective management and improvement of the quality of education for its sustainability. The key rankings that rank universities by their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals are the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, QS World University Rankings, and UI GreenMetric. Based on the analysis of the methodologies of these rankings, are identified the main criteria and indicators used in each of the rankings that have a significant impact on the competitiveness of the university in the context of sustainable development. The analysis made it possible to outline the guidelines for the university's activities to improve its ranking in the context of sustainable development, and the recommendations of the European Association of Universities prompted and became the basis for the development of the Roadmap (Policy) for Sustainable Development, which consolidates key strategic guidelines aimed at systematic integration of sustainable development principles in the areas of the university's activities: education for sustainable development, research and innovation, social impact, public engagement, partnership and cooperation, image and sustainable reputation, sustainable infrastructure. The Sustainable Development Roadmap (Policy) is aimed at systematically integrating sustainability principles into the educational process, research, and management processes of the university. The goals identified by the areas of activity will serve as indicators for the development of an internal sustainability rating of the university's structural units, which will improve the university's ranking in international sustainability rankings and ensure its competitiveness.

Exploring Transparency–Sustainability Linkage: Analysis of CSR Disclosures

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting is a strategy for communicating sustainability data to stakeholders. Sharing data with stakeholders is the key to the effectiveness and validity of CSR. However, the often-voluntary nature of CSR disclosure reporting results in perceived bias. Consequently, the relationship between CSR disclosure transparency and the sustainable character of a company remains unclear. The article suggests a methodology for evaluating corporate transparency through t-value analysis. The t-value analysis of CSR reports from Corporate Knights’ 2021 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations quantifies the total number of negative disclosures in a CSR report. This research shows a lack of correlation (p value = .805) between observable levels of transparency and third-party sustainability rankings amongst the sustainability elite of the corporate world.

Are Brazilian universities greening? An analysis of their performances in an international sustainability ranking

Are Brazilian universities greening? An analysis of their performances in an international sustainability ranking

Sustainability and Environmental Communities of Practice’s Impact on News Content Diversity

ABSTRACT Communities of practice (CoP) are distinct community groups that share a common interest in which they interact with one another to address problems and reach goals. In the present study, we investigated one niche community—sustainability and environmental communities of practice—to determine whether stronger communities of practices differed from weaker ones. We developed a summative index rating each sampled university student news publication with a single score ranging from 0–3 to represent community of practice strength: (a) universities with a sustainability ranking, (b) student publications with an environmental specialization, (c) universities with an environmental journalism specialization, and (d) no CoP to determine whether university students situated in stronger communities practiced journalism differently. Data from a content analysis of sustainability and environmental news articles showed the strongest sustainability community of practice was related to more topic diversity, but source affiliation diversity levels appear to continue to remain mostly constant across contexts and time. Implications concerning environmental journalism training and university outreach are discussed.

Analysing the determinant factors of the sustainability profile of Fintech and Insurtech companies

The revolution that Fintech has represented in recent years has allowed it to take advantage of the challenges posed by new technologies and big data. In this context, the present paper analyses the sustainable profile of current FinTech and InsurTech companies based on a group of determinants defined from three dimensions: CO2 emissions; obtaining green certificates and sustainability rankings; alignment with sustainable development goals (SDG). Using the KBW and Nasdaq FinTech Index and the NASDAQ Insurance Index (IXIS), we composed a panel of 95 companies over a 10-year period (2010–2019) with economic-financial variables, and data about green certificates and sustainability indices. The applied methodology is based on dynamic (GMM-SYS) and static (PCSE) panel data models. The results show that the fintech companies that are larger, more profitable, less indebted and younger report on CSR and encourage volunteering and have a more sustainable profile.

Sustainability Ranking of Turkish Universities with Different Weighting Approaches and the TOPSIS Method

The concept of sustainability has become more important, especially as a result of the depletion of energy resources and increasing environmental concerns. UI GreenMetric ranks universities based on sustainability, environmental, and energy concerns, addressing issues of environmental pollution, food and water scarcity, and energy supply. By prioritizing sustainability on their campuses and campuses, universities are working to ensure a more sustainable future for humanity. This study evaluates university sustainability in energy and climate change using the UI GreenMetric ranking, focusing on Turkish universities’ sustainability ranking. It incorporates variables like infrastructure, energy, climate change, waste, water, public transportation, and educational research, using weighting approaches to reveal the most important variables for the country’s universities. The study utilized weighting techniques like CRITIC, entropy, standard deviation-based, and equal weighting approaches to obtain rankings for UI GreenMetric rankings. Entropy and equal weighting methods were found to be closest to the UI GreenMetric rankings. Universities’ rankings were analyzed using the TOPSIS method and four weighting techniques for 83 Turkish universities. For Turkish universities, the CRITIC method yielded the highest weight for energy and climate change variables, while water was identified as the most significant factor for entropy, installation infrastructure, and standard deviation-based weighting techniques.

Multicriteria Decision Making and Water Infrastructure: An Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process for a Sustainable Ranking of Investments

The United Nations SDG6 goal of ensuring universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2030 will require increased investment in the rehabilitation and maintenance of water infrastructure. In Italy, the water sector has not yet reached the performance of other European countries. The hierarchization of investments is essential for identifying priorities and efficiently allocating resources. This issue is part of the debate on the reconciliation of public and private needs in the management of water services. The present research proposes a model based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Taking into account the design alternatives considered optimal that contribute to the resolution of territorial criticalities, the model organizes them in a ranking that indicates the chronological priorities to be respected in the investments to be made. The evaluation criteria are set in compliance with the norms defined by the National Authority (ARERA). The model is tested on a water manager in the Campania region. Among the main results, it is found that the two extremes of the ranking are shared between the two actors involved in the investment strategy (the private operator and public regulator). The model represents an effective tool for identifying shared planning strategies between public and private operators.