The University of Melbourne is proud to have placed in the top 20 in the world, in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026.
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Emma Johnston AO said the performance in this year's rankings highlighted the University's commitment to sustainability.
"As climate change intensifies in Australia and around the world, universities must continue to lead on sustainability. This year's results reflect our commitment to building a more resilient future for generations to come," Professor Johnston said.
"Sustainability is central to our mission and embedded across our teaching, research, and the way we operate. With more than 70,000 staff and students across multiple campuses and precincts, we have a responsibility to model sustainable practices throughout our institution and the communities we serve.
"Our campuses are living laboratories, and the expertise of our people are the driving force behind our sustainability efforts, enabling us to contribute meaningfully to global climate solutions.
"A great example of how our University solves problems for Australia and the world is by supporting fundamental research. One example is Professor Richard Robson's Noble-prize winning research, which provides opportunities to fast track the energy transition."
The University of Melbourne's continued presence among leading institutions globally reflects its focus on tackling the social, economic and environmental complexities of climate change and global sustainability. Guided by the University's Sustainability Plan 2030, key initiatives include:
- Embedding sustainability into curriculum and ensuring graduates have the capability to shape, lead and succeed in a sustainable society
- Obtaining 100 per cent of the University's electricity from renewable sources from 2025
- 27 active research initiatives (hubs, platforms, labs, research centres) exploring diverse aspects of sustainability, including plastic pollution, global corporate climate accountability and the environmental impact of healthcare
- The 'Sustainability Advocacy' stream of the Melbourne Plus co-curricular program, which supports students to participate in activities that promote socially and environmentally responsible decision-making
- The Choose to ReUse crockery and cutlery service which avoided more than 288,000 items going to landfill in 2024.
