BUT has made significant progress in THE’s global sustainability ranking. It excels particularly in related innovations and industrial applications

Brno University of Technology ranks among the top 30 % of universities worldwide in innovation and industrial infrastructure. This was confirmed by the results of the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, which assess universities' contributions to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). BUT was ranked in the 801–1000 band overall and improved both its overall position and score compared to its debut in last year's ranking (1001–1500).

BUT Rectorate – illustrative photo. | Author: Archive of BUT

The ranking, published by the British organization Times Higher Education, evaluates universities based on their impact on society and the environment through the individual Sustainable Development Goals. Universities choose which goals they wish to be assessed on – this year, BUT submitted data for seven goals, two more than last year.

The three strongest optional SDGs contributing to BUT's overall score demonstrate the areas in which the university naturally excels as a technical institution:

  • SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production (201–300): BUT reported this goal for the first time and immediately achieved an excellent result. Projects contributing to this category include one focused on reducing light pollution and the development of hybrid pallets.
  • SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy (401–600): BUT improved from last year's 601–800 band. This reflects the focus of many university departments, including the Future Energy and Innovation research group at CEITEC BUT and the Institute of Process Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.


The overall assessment also includes the mandatory SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, in which BUT improved from the 801–1000 band to the 401–600 band.

“As a leading technical university, Brno University of Technology considers sustainability and responsibility for the environment and the Earth's climate to be one of its strategic priorities. We fulfill this commitment not only through the Sustainable Development Goals, which are embedded in our internal policies and processes, but also through our own research, development, and innovation, which make a significant contribution as a technical university. These efforts result in technologies that help strengthen environmentally responsible practices not only within our university but also across industry and society,” said BUT Rector Ladislav Janíček.

“We are not pursuing these activities simply to meet the formal criteria of various rankings. Rather, technological research and development, including sustainability-related research, is a natural challenge for our university. I am especially pleased that BUT's best result in this year's THE Sustainability Impact Ratings places us among the top 30% of institutions worldwide in Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. This reflects the university's natural strengths as a technical and research institution. At the same time, we have also advanced in several other key areas. For example, we achieved an excellent result the very first time we reported on Responsible Consumption and Production. Looking back at our sustainability achievements in research, I am particularly pleased that we are not stopping at technological development alone, but are successfully transferring these innovations into practice through entrepreneurship. The emergence of new startups and spin-off companies, including student-founded ventures, is clear evidence of this. We have also actively promoted and supported this approach during our two-year presidency of the EULiST European University Alliance,” the Rector added.

“I am truly delighted that our responsible approach to sustainability is also reflected in international university rankings. The significant improvement we achieved in this year's THE ranking, together with our success in the QS Sustainability Rankings, is a great encouragement for the university's further development. I see this as recognition of the work of our academics, researchers, students, and all other employees, and I sincerely thank them for their dedication and commitment,” concluded Ladislav Janíček.

A total of 1,603 universities from around the world participated in this year's ranking. Seven universities from the Czech Republic were evaluated. The highest-ranked Czech institution was Masaryk University (201–300), followed by Charles University (301–400). BUT achieved the sixth-best result among the participating Czech universities. Overall, the ranking was led by the University of Manchester, Griffith University, and Western Sydney University.

Authors: Petr Kouřil, Petr Kubíček

Published
Link https://www.vut.cz/en/but/f19528/d344798
THE rankings sustainability