The University of Coimbra (UC) is Portugal’s most sustainable higher education institution and sits in the world’s top 100 (81st place) in fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the planet, according to the 2026 edition of the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings, released on Wednesday, the 24th, as announced in a statement.
According to the same source, it is the seventh consecutive year that the prestigious ranking—which analyzes the performance of more than 1,600 higher education institutions worldwide in meeting the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—distinguishes the UC as the most sustainable in Portugal and among the top 100 in the world. With a score of 90.3 (out of 100), the UC was also the best‑ranked institution in Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece) and among Lusophone countries.
“It is a pride to see the University of Coimbra recognized, for the seventh consecutive year, as the most sustainable higher education institution in the country and part of the world top 100. In an extremely demanding and competitive national and international context, with more and more peers committed to addressing sustainability challenges, it is good to see that we continue to lead, by action and by example,” says the UC Rector, Amílcar Falcão. “This result, the fruit of the work of the entire university community, is an incentive for us to continue to improve, committed to the sustainability of the planet,” he emphasizes.
The Sustainable Development Goals 2 – Zero Hunger, 3 – Quality Health, and 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure were the three indicators of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026 in which the University of Coimbra stood out the most.
In SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, the UC ranked 61st. For this result, actions such as initiatives to monitor and reduce food waste in cafeterias contributed; the UC Share application, which promotes charitable donation of meals to students beneficiaries of social action scholarships; the existence of the social menu, at the lowest price in the country, in the cafeterias; and the integration of sustainability criteria in the procurement of food products (prioritizing local and sustainable products).
In SDG 3 – Quality Health, the UC rose to 12th position, already on the cusp of the global top 10. This performance was driven by the various health services that are available to the university community (including mental health); the programs of well-being and regular practice of sport and physical activity; and the partnerships with state entities and international peers in which the UC participates (such as the M8 Alliance, which brings together universities and hospital centers from around the world).
In SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, the University of Coimbra remained in 31st place. For this performance, weight was given to the work carried out in promoting innovation and knowledge transfer to society, of research and patents obtained, to the about 100 spin-offs created and to the about €20 million in revenue coming from industry, innovation and infrastructure.
Beyond these indicators, in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026 the University of Coimbra also ranked among the world’s top 100 in SDGs 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities (74th place), 13 – Climate Action (78th) and 14 – Life Below Water (98th) – having risen to the top 100 in the last two.
The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings [until 2025 designated as the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings] aim to measure the performance of higher education institutions in fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals, contemplating a global ranking and 17 subrankings (one for each SDG). For these rankings, the analysis considers how research, teaching and management measures contribute to achieving the SDGs defined by the UN, and this is the only global instrument that comprehensively assesses the performance of higher education institutions in these domains.
