University of Hamburg Maintains Top Sustainability Ranking in Germany and Strengthens Its Position Among the World’s Leading Institutions

Photo: University of Hamburg / Denstorf

(IN BRIEF) The University of Hamburg has once again been ranked the top institution in Germany in the latest QS Sustainability Ranking, retaining its position among the world’s top 50 despite significantly increased competition. With more than 1,500 universities assessed globally, the University placed 46th overall and earned over 90 points in nearly every category, including strong gains in Environmental Research, Equality, Health and Well-Being, and Good Governance. University President Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren highlighted the ranking as evidence of Hamburg’s commitment to linking sustainability and digitalisation across research, education, and societal engagement, while Chief Sustainability Officer Prof. Dr. Laura Marie Edinger-Schons emphasized that the achievement reflects a deeply ingrained institutional culture of sustainability. The results further underscore the global relevance of the University’s climate research, particularly through projects like the CLICCS Cluster of Excellence, and demonstrate its continued leadership in realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through long-term academic, operational, and governance initiatives.

(PRESS RELEASE) HAMBURG, 19-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Hamburg has secured the top position among German institutions in the newest QS Sustainability Ranking, reaffirming its national leadership in sustainability-focused academia. Despite the competition intensifying significantly this year due to a substantial rise in the number of participating universities, the institution maintained its standing and continued to place within the top 50 worldwide. In Germany, 65 universities were assessed — up from 50 in the previous year — while more than 1,500 institutions were included globally, marking an increase of 250 entries.

On the international stage, the University of Hamburg achieved a ranking of 46th, positioning itself alongside globally recognised institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and distinguished universities in Dublin, Exeter, and Tokyo. The results reflect a strong performance across nearly all evaluated areas, where the University scored above 90 out of 100 points.

Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren, President of the University of Hamburg, emphasized that the achievement underscores the institution’s commitment as a University of Excellence to shaping a sustainable future. He noted that the University is integrating digitalisation and sustainability across research, teaching, and public engagement, strengthening its role as a driver of innovation.

Chief Sustainability Officer Prof. Dr. Laura Marie Edinger-Schons highlighted that the ranking reflects a deeply embedded culture of sustainability across the institution. She stressed that the recognition is the outcome of the collective effort of academic and administrative teams who continuously work to improve sustainable practices in research, teaching, and campus operations.

The University excelled in several specific categories within the QS Sustainability Ranking:

• In Environmental Research, it gained an additional two points, reaching a score of 96.5. The frequently cited work produced by the Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS) significantly contributed to this result.
• In Equality, the University also improved by two points, earning 95.7 due to its strong commitment to equal opportunity initiatives.
• In Health and Well-Being, the score rose to 98.6, reflecting high-impact medical research and comprehensive health services provided by the University.
• In Good Governance, the University achieved 95.2 points, with its Sustainability Office receiving particular acknowledgement for effective leadership and oversight.

The QS Sustainability Ranking, published annually by the London-based analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds, evaluates universities’ environmental, social, and institutional sustainability practices. Grounded in indicators aligned with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the ranking aims to highlight global progress in higher education sustainability and showcase institutions transforming their operations and research to address global challenges.

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SOURCE: University of Hamburg