UI GreenMetric Marks a Decade of Advancing Sustainable Campuses in Russia
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 30 September 2026 — UI GreenMetric is strengthening its commitment to sustainable university development in Russia through the 10th National Workshop on UI GreenMetric, “Green Universities of Russia,” held at RUDN University in Moscow on 30 September 2026.
Launched by Universitas Indonesia in 2010, the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings is a global initiative that encourages universities worldwide to measure, evaluate, and improve their sustainability performance through data-driven assessment, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration.
The 10th national workshop in Russia marks a decade of collaboration between UI GreenMetric and Russian universities to raise awareness, share knowledge, and strengthen sustainability practices in higher education. Over this period, 51 Russian universities have actively participated in the UI GreenMetric global sustainability initiative.
“The tenth national workshop represents something important. These ten workshops demonstrate continuity, trust, and a shared commitment to sustainability in Russian higher education,” said Dr. Vishnu Juwono, S.E., M.I.A., Chairman of the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings.
The workshop brought together university representatives, academics, government representatives, sustainability practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders to discuss developments in the UI GreenMetric 2026 assessment and the sustainability agenda for Russian higher education.
The programme covered updates to the UI GreenMetric 2026 indicators and data submission process, developments within the Russian National UI GreenMetric Network, and university experiences in managing seven areas of sustainability: setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation, education and research, and governance and digitalisation.
Participants also explored opportunities for international cooperation in sustainable development, including the development of networks of ecological and climate testing sites and solutions for urban climate and environmental protection. The workshop concluded with the signing of a membership declaration, the introduction of new network members, and discussions on the future development of the UI GreenMetric network in Russia.
Dr. Vishnu emphasised that UI GreenMetric should not be viewed merely as a university ranking. Sustainability assessment should help universities understand their challenges and drive meaningful change.
“The purpose of measuring energy is not simply to earn points, but to understand energy use. The purpose of measuring waste is not merely to document it, but to change consumption patterns. The purpose of measuring transportation is not simply to fulfil an indicator, but to rethink mobility in ways that are inclusive, environmentally friendly, and sustainable,” said Dr. Vishnu Juwono.
Building the Future Through Higher Education
Dr. Vishnu also highlighted the potential of Russia’s higher education sector to drive meaningful change. According to Rosstat data cited in his remarks, approximately 4.43 million students were enrolled in bachelor’s, specialist, and master’s degree programmes in Russia during the 2024–2025 academic year. He noted that this figure represents more than a statistical measure; it reflects millions of opportunities to create positive change.
Universities can turn campus challenges into sources of knowledge. Energy consumption can become a dataset for research, waste can provide opportunities to experiment with circular economy models, and transportation patterns can inform studies on sustainable mobility. In this way, campuses can serve as living laboratories for sustainability and generate evidence to support better decision-making.
UI GreenMetric continues to expand its commitment to advancing sustainable practices beyond Indonesia and across the world, including Russia. Through data-driven assessment, knowledge exchange, global networking, and inter-university collaboration, the initiative seeks to help higher education institutions turn sustainability commitments into measurable progress.
Written by Iskandar Hamonangan – Communications Coordinator at UI GreenMetric.