Hungarian Universities in Sustainability Rankings: The Case of Budapest Metropolitan University

2025. szeptember 27

Polgári Szemle· 21. évfolyam 4–6. szám, 2025, 133–146., DOI: 10.24307/psz.2025.0908

DR. HABIL. CECÍLIA SZIGETI, Habilitated Associate Professor, Budapest Metropolitan University (METU) (Ez az e-mail-cím a szpemrobotok elleni védelem alatt áll. Megtekintéséhez engedélyeznie kell a JavaScript használatát.); PéTER CSIBA, PhD Student, METU (Ez az e-mail-cím a szpemrobotok elleni védelem alatt áll. Megtekintéséhez engedélyeznie kell a JavaScript használatát.); DR. ANDRÁS SZEBERéNYI, Associate Profes- sor, METU (Ez az e-mail-cím a szpemrobotok elleni védelem alatt áll. Megtekintéséhez engedélyeznie kell a JavaScript használatát.); DR. BALÁZS SÁRVÁRI, Research Fellow, METU ; Senior Lecturer, Corvinus University of Budapest (balazs.sarvari@ uni-corvinus.hu) ; PROF. DR. TAMÁS GERGELY KUCSERA, Professor, METU (Ez az e-mail-cím a szpemrobotok elleni védelem alatt áll. Megtekintéséhez engedélyeznie kell a JavaScript használatát.); NORBERT HOLCZINGER, PhD Student, Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Summary

This study provides a comprehensive review of three major international university sustainability ranking UI GreenMetric, THE Impact Ranking, and QS Sustainability Ranking with a particular focus on the performance and participation of Hungarian higher education institutions. Among these, UI GreenMetric stands out for its historical continuity and impact, having consistently included two Hungarian universities, the University of Pécs and the University of Szeged, within its global top 100. The analysis reveals that participation in these rankings does not primarily reflect competitive dynamics among institutions; rather, it fosters the dissemination of sustainability best practices through collaborative efforts. One prominent example of such cooperation is the Hungarian Universities Sustainability Platform (MEFP), initiated in 2022. This platform exemplifies a strategic shift towards collective sustainability governance in Hungarian higher education, encouraging institutional partner- ships and coordinated progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) codes: I23, Q01

Keywords: Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, Green Metrics, QS Sustainability Ranking, EUA, HESI, MEFP