Franklin has been recognized among the world’s most sustainable universities, earning an impressive Green Rating of 98 out of 99 in The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges: 2026 Edition.

The guide, now in its 25th year, highlights 388 higher education institutions worldwide that demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainability across operations, academics, and community engagement. Franklin’s inclusion reflects its long-term dedication to environmental responsibility, social awareness, and sustainable innovation — core values that define its educational mission.

According to Samuel Martín-Barbero, President of Franklin University Switzerland, this distinction confirms the university’s ongoing effort to integrate sustainability into every dimension of campus life: teaching, operations, and community partnerships.

A Community Committed to Action

The recognition from The Princeton Review is the result of  dedicated work led by Franklin’s Green Office Sustainability Programs (FUS GO), established in 2022 and directed by Jean Wu.

The Green Office educates and trains students to develop and implement meaningful initiatives both on and off campus, fostering a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to sustainability. Operating across five areas — campus operations, event coordination, education and research, external affairs and projects, and marketing and communications — the FUS GO serves as Franklin’s catalyst for systemic change.

Some of its most impactful initiatives include:

  • A commitment to 100% renewable energy, ensuring that campus operations are powered by on-campus solar energy and taking part in a hydroelectricity purchase plan.
  • The Orienting Curriculum around Sustainability program, supporting faculty who wish to integrate sustainability principles into their teaching and research.
  • The Swap Shop, which rehomes 600–700 items each semester, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste.
  • Collaborations with external organizations, including WWF Switzerland and ProNatura, to preserve local biodiversity and strengthen community engagement.

These achievements showcase Franklin’s vision of “learning sustainability by doing sustainability.

Academic Leadership in Sustainability

Beyond campus initiatives, Franklin continues to expand its academic leadership in sustainability. This year marks the launch of the new Master of Science in Sustainability and Transformation, directed by Professor Caroline Wiedmer, which is now open for enrollment for the 2026–2027 academic year.

The program blends sustainability science, systems thinking, and leadership to prepare students to navigate complex environmental and social challenges. Rooted in Franklin’s multicultural environment and dual Swiss-American accreditation, it equips graduates with both the academic rigor and the global perspective needed to lead transformative change.

David Mills, Dean of Academics, emphasized that this master’s degree builds on Franklin’s liberal arts tradition, where interdisciplinary learning and real-world application come together to inspire meaningful impact.

Shaping a Culture of Sustainability

Inclusion in The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges is more than an award — it is a recognition of Franklin’s institutional mission to integrate sustainability, diversity, and global citizenship into every aspect of university life.

As the Franklin community continues its journey toward becoming a carbon-neutral campus by 2050, this international recognition serves both as a milestone and as motivation to deepen its impact.

With its exceptional 98/99 Green Rating, Franklin reaffirms its position as a global academic hub for sustainability — a place where students, faculty, and partners work together to shape a more sustainable future.