VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — The University of Northern Philippines (UNP) has advanced its international standing in sustainability, jumping to 267th worldwide from 295th last year in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. Nationally, UNP secured the 4th spot, solidifying its growing reputation for environmental stewardship and sustainable campus operations.
UNP achieved an overall total score of 7,900 points, reflecting institution-wide progress in green administrative policies, resource conservation, sustainable infrastructure, and eco-centric education.
The university demonstrated strong, balanced performance across all core criteria evaluated by the global ranking framework. Leading UNP’s assessment was the Transportation category, which earned the highest score of 1,487.5 points due to effective campus transit strategies, pedestrian-friendly pathways, and low-emission transport initiatives. This was closely followed by Energy and Climate Change with 1,400 points, recognizing energy-efficient campus operations, smart infrastructure, and proactive climate mitigation programs.
UNP also posted strong results in Waste Management, scoring 1,275 points for its comprehensive campus recycling systems, waste reduction protocols, and eco-friendly disposal procedures. In academic and administrative domains, the university garnered 1,125 points in Education and Research for integrating sustainability topics into curricula and faculty research outputs, alongside 937.5 points in Governance and Digitalization for driving sustainable policy development and digital workflows. Rounding out the total tally were Water Management with 900 points for efficient conservation practices and recycling mechanisms, and Setting and Infrastructure with 775 points for green space allocation and environmentally conscious land management.
This 28-spot leap in global standing highlights UNP’s continuous efforts to integrate environmental sustainability into its long-term development strategy. Through ongoing investments in clean technology, waste minimization, and eco-focused academic programs, the University of Northern Philippines continues to lead by example in building a resilient, eco-friendly academic community.
Article by Randolf Agup.
