A Data-Driven Benchmarking Framework for Enhancing Sustainability Performance in UI GreenMetric Rankings: Insights from Saudi Arabian Higher Education Institutions

This study presents an all-inclusive benchmarking framework as a strategic tool for Saudi Arabian higher education institutions (HEIs) aiming to enhance their performance in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking (UIGWUR), with extended applications for HEIs in other countries.The proposed framework progresses beyond statistical reporting to offer a transferable data-driven tool that could support HEIs worldwide in diagnosing gaps, prioritizing actions and strategically advancing sustainability outcomes.The number and trends of ranking by Saudi Arabian HEIs participated in the UIGWUR between year 2014 and 2024 are quantitatively analyzed to reveal insights into their sustainability performance and areas for improvement.Results from the analysis indicated steady growth in their participation, beginning from one HEI in year 2014 to 14 out of 67 HEIs in year 2024.Four institutions, in particular, could serve as benchmark models for others aspiring to improve their global standing: King Abdulaziz University (KAU) and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) have ranked among the top 100 consistently whereas Qassim University (QU) and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IABFU) have also secured top 100 positions in the recent years.To help other HEIs obtain comparable achievement, this study, with a detailed benchmarking analysis from year 2020 onward, identified the minimum performance scores for attaining a top 100 position in year 2025.The study categorized the required levels of effort into Aligned, Low, Medium, and High across different UIGWUR criteria, hence offering a structured roadmap for improvement.It was recommended that approximately 79% of the participated HEIs in year 2024 should invest Medium to High levels of effort to be qualified for top 100 in year 2025.Though the current analysis focused on Saudi Arabian HEIs, the proposed framework could offer a scalable tool applicable to global HEIs to boost their sustainability performance.