Massive improvement in University’s environmental performance
The University has been named as the most improved performer in this year’s People and Planet Green League, the only comprehensive and independent league table of UK universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance.
We've climbed a staggering 63 places in the awards which take an annual look at environmental performance across the higher education sector.
The result moves the University up from a third to a 2:1 and is even more impressive when considered against other similarly energy-intensive research Russell Group universities, placing it sixth across the entire group.
“We’re absolutely delighted with our significant leap up the table this year, a result which is a credit to the commitment from staff at all levels of the organisation to do their bit to help us improve our environmental impact, as well as a programme of major development activities across the University estate,” said Keith Lilley, Director of Estates and Facilities Management.
“To make this kind of improvement is particularly impressive for an energy-intensive research Russell Group university. Our high levels of research activity are always going to give us particular challenges in improving our environmental impact performance, so the fact that we have achieved this excellent result at the same time as continuing to develop our innovative and wide-ranging research programme is especially gratifying.
“But we haven’t finished yet! Our ambitious Energy Strategy sets out how we will achieve a 43 per cent reduction on our 2005 carbon emissions by 2020. Our on-site 1Mw wind turbine, ground source heat pumps and solar farm provide 4.1 per cent of our total electricity use. That’s a figure we hope to substantially increase in the coming years.”
What else are we doing?
Other environmental achievements that we can be proud of – and which have helped us climb 63 places up the People and Planet table 2013 – include:
- This year, students in our residences have saved over eight per cent on electricity use through the fun, Facebook-centred, prize-driven Student Switch Off.
- Over 50 per cent of University departments now have a team of staff volunteers greening their workplace through Green Impact.
- We perform strongly on recycling and waste. Over 80 per cent of our waste is recycled or recovered, and our end-of-year Bring It Don’t Bin It reuse scheme gives over four tonnes of students’ unwanted items to local charities every year.
- Our innovative work on cycling in partnership with a local social enterprise gets over 100 students on refurbished bikes every year, and then gives free check-ups at our Cycle Hut.
- We can be proud of our Biodiversity Action Plan and engagement work. Bill Oddie came to our Students’ Union, and we’ve set up a live webcam feed of the University peregrine falcons.
- Accommodation and Commercial Services gained points for creating a sustainable food policy, buying MSC-certified fish and free range eggs, and working with local suppliers like Our Cow Molly – a dairy five miles away.