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The Universitas Indonesia’s (UI) GreenMetric World Sustainability Ranking ranked Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan as one of the ten (10) Philippine Universities that led the country’s academic sector in the promotion of the reduction of carbon footprint towards developing environmentally-friendly universities.

In comparison to other ranked Philippine schools (Table 1), Xavier Ateneo performed the best in Water Sustainability (3rd) and Waste Management (5th). There is much room for improvements in Setting and Infrastructure (7th), Education and Research (8th), Transportation (8th), and Energy & Climate Change (9th). The results of the rankings in different categories would serve as basis and impetus for the university to enhance its environmental programs and activities in all its school campuses.

Table 1. Ranking in the Philippines

University

Total Score

Setting & Infrastructure

Energy & Climate Change

Waste

Water

Transportation

Education & Research

De La Salle University-Dasmarinas

7100

900

1525

1275

700

1225

1475

De La Salle University Manila

6970

810

1235

1500

650

1350

1425

Tarlac Agricultural University

6910

1185

1275

1050

450

1275

1675

Batangas State University

6760

975

1010

1425

500

1250

1600

Mariano Marcos State University

6740

1005

1560

1050

350

1175

1600

Bataan Peninsula State University

5595

595

1225

825

350

1250

1350

Mindanao State University Iligan State Institute of Technology

5160

660

1140

675

160

1225

1300

Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan

5115

730

475

1200

600

1060

1050

Ateneo de Davao University

4570

610

850

900

410

1050

750

Manila Central University

4285

840

385

1350

600

835

275

 

Universitas Indonesia (UI) initiated world university rankings in 2010, later known as UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, to measure campus sustainability efforts. It aims to contribute to academic discourse on sustainability in education and the greening of campuses, and encourage university-led social change with regard to sustainability goals.

Participating universities were evaluated based on the size of the university and its zoning profile (urban, suburban or rural), the degree of green space, electricity consumption, transportation, water usage and waste management. It also looked into the university’s policies, actions, and communication on sustainability, including sustainability courses and researches, among others.

Some of the best sustainable practices implemented in Xavier University campuses include the operation of the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and Vermicomposting facilities; usage of water and energy efficient appliances (e.g. LED lighting, water saving toilet); presence of rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment plant (STP) in SHS and ALGCIT; underground cistern tanks on main campus; implementation of environmental policies (e.g. ban of single use plastic, ban of styro based materials, use of reusable food ware, paperless transaction),  conduct of environmental research projects (e.g. bay-wide mangrove planting, etc.) among others.

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Vermicomposting Facility (L) and Vermicast (R)

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Bay-wide mangrove planting (L) and volunteers from PNP Binuangan during the outplanting activity sponsored by PICE-XUSC

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Sewage Treatment Plant (ALGCIT-Dorm)

Xavier-Ateneo’s participation in the GreenMetric World University Rankings started in 2013 and was initiated by the Green Campus Agenda of the Vice President for Administration. Since then, this has been a regular agenda (i.e. discussion, updates from other units and submission report through an online survey) of the Green Campus Agenda Committee.

The yearly participation in the Ranking enables Xavier Ateneo to assess and compare campus sustainability efforts with other institutions in the whole world. Being a member of the global network, XU was also able to share experiences and learn best practices on sustainability with other universities.

XU ranked 664th out of the 1,050 participating universities worldwide. Complete results of the rankings were uploaded on the UIGWUR website: https://greenmetric.ui.ac.id/rankings/overall-rankings-2022

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The ranking serves as a reminder to everyone in the university to continuously work harder to promote and advocate for a greener and more sustainable Xavier Ateneo. This is a call which we boldly respond in solidarity with the rest of the 1,050 schools in the world.