Italian universities are improving their performance in sustainability, according to the latest authoritative international rankings out Tuesday.
    A total of 57 Italian universities are included—out of approximately 200 universities from 106 different countries—in the 'QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026' ranking, including five new entries.
    Of these, 16 improve their position, six maintain their position, and several achieve their best results ever, including the Polytechnic University of Milan, Bocconi University, the University of Trento, the Polytechnic University of Marche, the University of Roma Tre, the University of Salerno, and the University of L'Aquila.
    Italy's progress, QS analysts note, comes as the country intensifies its national sustainability ambitions under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), as well as its commitments to the EU Green Deal and the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP).
    These initiatives are channeling investments toward the green transition, research, and innovation, encouraging universities to expand climate research, strengthen environmental governance, and integrate sustainability into teaching and campus activities.
    Italy's results in the 2026 edition depict a system that is becoming more competitive and more widely engaged.
    At the top, established institutions are strengthening their position; in the mid-rankings, momentum is spreading, and even further down the rankings, a series of significant increases signal broadening national participation.
    Some volatility is inevitable in a ranking now in its fourth year, and the submission of more comprehensive data has refined several Italian results without altering the underlying direction.
    With over 250 new universities joining the global rankings this year, competitive pressure has intensified.

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