From Yogyakarta to Azerbaijan, UI GreenMetric 2026 Highlights the Role of Universities in the Global Sustainability Movement

The UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings 2026 global events in Baku bring together universities from different regions to exchange experiences and practices in building sustainable campuses. The 2026 global rankings will be announced in Baku on 24 September 2026.

Baku, Azerbaijan, 23 September 2026 — Following the UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings Indonesia 2026 Results and Awards Ceremony held at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta on 15 September 2026, UI GreenMetric continues its global rankings and awards programme with the UI GreenMetric 2026 Results & Awards Ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan, taking place from 23 to 24 September 2026.

Hosted by Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ASOIU), the event provides an important platform for bringing together the global university community while celebrating the achievements of universities in advancing sustainable campus development.

“The UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings 2026 Results and Awards Ceremony in Azerbaijan provides an important platform for sharing international experiences and strengthening cooperation among universities in advancing sustainable development. As the host institution, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University is proud to contribute to this global dialogue while sharing our efforts to implement green campus principles and sustainability practices across the university,” said Dr. Rufat Azizov, Rector of Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ASOIU), during the opening of the event in Baku on 23 September 2026.

From Indonesia to the Global Sustainability Movement

The event in Azerbaijan follows the UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings Indonesia 2026 Results and Awards Ceremony, held at UGM in Yogyakarta on 15 September. While the Yogyakarta event focused specifically on recognizing and celebrating the sustainability achievements of Indonesian universities, the event in Azerbaijan brings this momentum to the global level by connecting universities and sustainability stakeholders from different countries.

Through this series of events, UI GreenMetric highlights how sustainability efforts at the campus level can contribute to a broader global movement for sustainable development. The UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings 2026 assesses various dimensions of university sustainability through seven criteria: Setting and Infrastructure; Energy and Climate Change; Waste; Water; Transportation; Education and Research; and Governance and Digitalization.

This approach reflects the multidimensional nature of university sustainability. Universities are not only expected to manage their environment and resources more sustainably, but also to contribute to knowledge development, strengthen human capacity, and establish governance systems that support the achievement of sustainable development goals. In the context of climate change, universities have a strategic role as centres of knowledge, research, education, and capacity building.

“Universities do not have to solve all the problems related to climate change. However, they have an important role to play in developing a deeper understanding of these challenges by strengthening scientific research in the field of climate change. At the same time, raising awareness of these issues within the university community is also very important,” said Dr. Vishnu Juwono, Head of UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings, in his speech in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 23 September 2026.

According to Dr. Vishnu, global climate indicators show that the previous year was recorded as the hottest year ever measured. This condition further underscores the importance of universities’ contributions to building the knowledge and capacity needed to address the challenges posed by climate change.

“Universities have significant potential to make a constructive contribution. While universities may not be able to close the entire funding gap needed to address climate change, they can help close the knowledge and skills gaps required to tackle these challenges,” he added.

Strengthening the Sustainable University Network

The UI GreenMetric 2026 series of events demonstrates the continuity between sustainability efforts at the national level and the global university network. Following the recognition of the achievements of Indonesian universities in Yogyakarta, UI GreenMetric brings this momentum to the international forum in Azerbaijan, connecting universities from different regions around a shared sustainability agenda.

The participation of universities from different countries creates opportunities to exchange experiences and learn from diverse approaches to sustainability, taking into account the specific circumstances of individual institutions and regions.

Through international gatherings such as the event in Baku, sustainability practices at the campus level can be shared, adapted, and further developed through cross-border collaboration.

In this way, the rankings serve not only as a means of measuring sustainability performance, but also as part of an ongoing process of learning, knowledge exchange, and continuous improvement in the sustainability performance of universities.

Written by Iskandar Hamonangan – Communication Coordinator at UI GreenMetric.