Sustainability targets: PoliMi and Bologna are the top Italian universities

The Politecnico di Milano and the Alma Mater of Bologna are the top Italian universities according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026. However, they are still some way off the top of the rankings, which measure alignment with the UN Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals and are currently led by the University of Manchester. Both Italian universities are ranked in the 101–200 bracket.

The three best indicators recorded by PoliMi out of the 17 used by The are, respectively: ‘Industry, innovation and infrastructure’, where it ranks 15th; ‘Reduced inequalities’, where it ranks 62nd; and ‘Responsible consumption and production’, where it ranks 88th. For its part, Bologna achieves its strongest performances in the categories “Industry, innovation and infrastructure” (19th place), “Peace, justice and strong institutions” (44th) and “Decent work and economic growth” (95th).

Behind them are a further 12 Italian institutions. Of these, four are ranked in the 201–300 range (IULM and the universities of Florence, L’Aquila and Padua); one in the 301–400 range (Pisa); four in the 401–600 group (Marche Polytechnic, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Brescia and Parma); a further two in the 601–800 bracket (Foggia and the University of Milan – Statale) and one final institution (Rome Business School) in the 1,001–1,500 range.

Turning to the overall rankings, universities in wealthy countries continue to dominate the list, but the gap is narrowing slightly.

The top university in the world, out of more than 1,600 surveyed, is the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, which has ended Western Sydney University’s four-year reign at the top; the latter has now slipped to third place. Ahead of it, in second place, is Australia’s Griffith University in Queensland.