Improving Green Metric ranking by implementation of effective actions, the practical solution towards sustainable universities (Case study: University of Guilan, Iran)

Universities are recognized as the main centres for innovation and environmental education, hence have a very important responsibility to increase awareness, knowledge, technologies, and necessary tools to create a sustainable future. A green campus is an important aspect of a green university and a way to promote sustainable development. Green Metric ranking has been considered as a standard framework and guide for green universities. The University of Guilan scores and ranking in 2017 at Green Metric index was used as basic information. Then, the weaknesses and threats were determined and the solution based on actions of four top universities in Green Metric ranking were obtained and implemented at this university. Eventually, the results of effective actions were evaluated by the Green Metric score results in 2018 and 2019. The results showed that the plans to improve sustainability and reach to green university were efficient from 2017 to 2019 at the University of Guilan. The University of Guilan international ranking on the Green Metric index from 2017 to 2019 has been increased by 326, 262, and 198 respectively. In addition, at the national level, its score has been improved from 8 in 2017 to 4 in 2018 and 3 in 2019. Overall, it is expected that, due to the university's green approach and providing new solutions, the position of the university in this ranking could be increase significantly in the next few years. Therefore, the continued implementation of such a program requires the attention of the university officials to sustainable development subject.