Critical review of a global campus sustainability ranking: GreenMetric

The issue of how to assess sustainability in universities has produced a growing body of literature with meta-analyses on methods in national, regional or local settings. Yet, there is relatively little on global campus sustainability rankings in higher education. This paper addresses that need. It presents a critical review of GreenMetric World University Ranking. The considerations and ranking systems that influenced its original design are given, as well as a framework to allow comparison with these. The ranking is critiqued in relation to the varying concepts of sustainability, challenges to university ranking, and the trade-off between scientific and practical concerns. The article shows how methodological choices in the ranking are explained by the intended users, goals and mission of the ranking. The analysis focuses on conceptual issues surrounding the meaning of sustainability and helps to enhance understanding of the term. Considerations for global campus sustainability rankings are highlighted.