The article considers the role of University rankings on their sustainable development (SD) and image in the international educational environment. Particular attention is paid to the rating of UI Green Metric, which evaluates the activities of the University on the global challenges of modernity and improving the infrastructure of the University with the aim of sustainable development. The Green Metric UI most reflects the challenges of sustainable development and takes the leading role that universities can play in raising awareness of global climate change, over-exploitation of natural resources, dependence on fossil hydrocarbon energy, water and food shortages, and the practical connection of these issues with SD. UR university infrastructure through assessments and comparison of efforts in the field of education. The GreenMetric UI rating is primarily aimed at raising awareness and accumulating a theoretical basis, on the basis of which in the future there will be real changes in the development of the sustainability of universities, the Russian and world economies. The article presents the results of a local study of infrastructure and environment of Ural Federal University in order to assess the possibility of University participation in the ranking of UI Green Metric. The article shows the benefits of the Ural Federal University and other universities can acquire when participating in the rating.