Prof. Jenny Palm, Director of the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics and Chair of the Sustainability Forum at Lund University, views the university’s top position in the QS Sustainability Rankings as both a significant acknowledgement and a responsibility. She emphasises that the result reflects the sustained efforts of researchers, students, and partners across the university who have contributed knowledge on climate, energy systems, sustainable production and consumption, governance, and social equity. These areas are central to the IIIEE’s mission and form an essential foundation for the university’s wider work on sustainability.
The strong performance across environmental impact, social impact, and governance confirms that sustainability is integrated into the university’s practices and decision-making rather than treated as a separate agenda.
Palm highlights that the ranking demonstrates not only the scientific quality and societal relevance of Lund University’s research and education, but also the value of an institutional culture shaped by openness, collaboration, and long-term commitment. She notes that the strong performance across environmental impact, social impact, and governance confirms that sustainability is integrated into the university’s practices and decision-making rather than treated as a separate agenda. She also stresses that being ranked first in the world sets a higher bar for future work and strengthens the responsibility to continue advancing knowledge that supports societal transitions. The result reinforces the IIIEE’s role as a leading platform for interdisciplinary research and engagement, connecting academic insights with policymakers, industry, and civil society.
Jenny Palm expresses pride in both the university’s achievement and in being part of the IIIEE, an institute whose long-standing commitment to transformative research continues to contribute to Lund University’s global leadership in sustainability.
The photo is from the Svane Mobility House in Lund which is a car park with solar cells on the roof that provide electricity to the charging stations, as well as a battery storage solution to cover when the sun is not shining.
The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026 is based on three categories: environmental impact, social impact, and governance. Lund University was ranked #1 in the world on environmental impact, #22 in the world on social impact, and #1 in the world on governance.
- Read more on QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026 – topuniversities.com.
- Read more on sustainability at Lund University.
