Exploring the Link Between National SDG Achievements and University Sustainability

This study analyzes the correlation between national Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) performance and university sustainability initiatives, as assessed by the UI Green-Metric. This report examines regional patterns, institutional characteristics, and the correlation between university sustainability initiatives and national SDG accomplishments, utilizing data from 1,042 institutions across eighty-four nations in 2022. Results indicate that European universities achieve the highest overall Green-Metric scores, excelling in energy and climate change indicators, while American universities perform strongly in infrastructure. Universities in Asia dominate participation but show more variability in scores. A significant positive correlation is identified between a country’s SDG performance and its universities’ Green-Metric scores, with the strongest links in waste management and education/research dimensions. The findings underscore the impact of national sustainability regulations on institutional practices, accentuating the role of universities as catalysts for progress in global sustainability initiatives. This study enhances the sparse literature on sustainability in higher education by correlating institutional practices with national SDG performance. Practical implications suggest that national policies fostering sustainability can enhance universities’ contributions to achieving global sustainability goals.