University of Leicester awarded 2:2 class in the People & Planet Green League 2011
- Ranked 83rd with a score of 28.5 out of 70 (25.5 for policy, 3 for performance)
Case Study from the University
Leicester’s design for bike storage facilities
In 2010 we launched the University’s first Travel Plan following an extensive survey and consultation period that involved over 75% of our staff and a huge amount of students, as well as external stakeholders.
The ambitious plan, not content with just ticking boxes to obtain planning approval, sets out our strategy to drastically cut our transport-related emissions and other effects. Early work has included overhauling the car park layout and permit allocation, charging for permits based on vehicle emissions, fixing over 200 bikes in free Dr Bike sessions, starting work on an underground bike store for over 300 bikes in the centre of Main Campus, car (and bike & walk) sharing, discounted bus and rail tickets, Green Travel Maps and bringing students to Campus using bespoke, branded Bendy Buses.
Leicester City Council’s Travel Plan Officer, who oversees our Plan, said:
“I have been very impressed with the Travel Plan, in particular the website, which with its sustainable maps, staff and student travel options, sustainable travel information, Budi scheme portals, carbon calculators etc. is exactly what I envisaged as a ‘one stop shop’ for all users. The website, Travel Plan and Travel Plan statements are on a very high level and, in my opinion, are exemplars for an organisation promoting sustainable travel. I have only praise for the work you have done and are currently doing.”
This is just year one. We have a load more initiatives up our sleeves for the next four years. Watch this space…
Scorecard
So how did University of Leicester score against the 13 Policy & Performance criteria in the People & Planet Green League 2011? Check out the full breakdown below.
Policy & Management Section
1. Environmental Policy
Total Score: 3/5 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
Does University of Leicester have a publicly available environmental policy? |
1 |
Is it reported on annually at a senior level? |
2 |
Does it set SMART targets reduce environmental impacts in all the following areas?:
|
0 |
2. Environmental Management Staff FTE
Total Score: 8/8 points.
University of Leicester has 2.3 staff dedicated to environmental management per 5000 students (capped at 15,000 students), giving a score of 8 out of 8 points.
3. Environmental Auditing and Management Systems
Total Score: 3/8 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
University of Leicester has audited its environmental impacts in the following areas within the last five years (0.5 points for each area):
|
3 |
Does University of Leicester operate an externally audited Environmental Management System (e.g. ISO14001, EMAS, Ecocampus, Green Dragon, IEMA Acorn Scheme [BS8885])? |
0 |
4. Ethical Investment
Total Score: 0/3 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
Does University of Leicester have a publicly available ethical investment policy? |
0 |
Is the publicly available ethical investment policy reported on annually and/or are there ongoing opportunities for staff, students and other stakeholders to engage with the policy? |
0 |
Has University of Leicester, on ethical grounds: a) divested, b) invested, c) engaged with companies as a shareholder, or d) changed banking provider in the last year? |
0 |
5. Carbon Management
Total Score: 4.5/7 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
Does University of Leicester have a publicly available Carbon Management Plan which meets the Carbon Trust and Capital Investment Framework requirements? |
2 |
How ambitious is University of Leicester’s average annual % carbon reduction target (calculated from an institution’s short-term targets from a 2005 baseline) |
2 |
The scope of University of Leicester’s carbon management plan baseline & targets includes emissions from the following areas:
|
0.5 |
6. Fairtrade & Ethical Procurement
Total Score: 1/2 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
Is University of Leicester an accredited Fairtrade University with the Fairtrade Foundation. |
1 |
Does University of Leicester have a joint staff/student steering group with the remit of going beyond Fairtrade and increasing the sustainability of all procurement categories? |
0 |
Is University of Leicester affiliated to the Worker Rights Consortium, in order to monitor the suppliers and parts of its garment supply chains that are not covered by Fairtrade certification? |
0 |
7. Sustainable Food
Total Score: 2/2 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
Does University of Leicester have a publicly available Sustainable Food policy which sets specific timebound targets for improvements? |
0.5 |
Is the sustainable food policy reported on annually at a senior level? |
0.5 |
University of Leicester is implementing the following sustainable food practices or is working towards Soil Association Food for Life catering mark:
|
1 |
8. Staff & Student Engagement
Total Score: 3/3 points.
The following activities to engage students and staff in sustainability issues are taking place at University of Leicester:
Students’ Union or Students’ Association associated to the institution has achieved a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award in this year’s Green Impact Union Awards (or similar) Yes
University actively supports an annual Go Green Week or Environment Week Yes
Staff engagement scheme to involve staff in improving the environmental performance of the university- for eg. Green Impact Universities or departmental eco-champions Yes
Initiatives to increase energy saving behaviour of all students in halls of residence (eg. Student Switch Off) No
Initiatives to increase recycling behaviour of all students in halls of residence Yes
Student representation on all university committees concerned with estates, planning, finance and resource allocation. Yes
Environmental awareness-raising campaigns that reach all students and staff Yes
Coursework linked to sustainability projects within the university/estates department. Yes
Availability of university funds for student or staff-led practical sustainability projects (eg. campus allotments, recycling schemes etc) Yes
Oversight and involvement of students and staff in the development and ongoing moni- toring of Carbon Management Plan. Yes
Provision of space for student / staff food-growing projects No
All staff inductions cover sustainability policy and issues No
Trade Union climate action groups (eg. GreenReps) or time off to participate in Union- linked sustainability initiatives. Yes
9. Curriculum
Total Score: 1/2 points.
The following activities to integrate sustainability issues throughout the curriculum are taking place at University of Leicester:
- Is there a commitment to integrate sustainability into the curriculum in their Corporate or Strategic Plan? No
- Is there a commitment to integrate sustainability into the curriculum in their Teaching and Learning Strategy? No
- Is there a commitment to integrate sustainability into the curriculum in the Environmental Policy? Yes
- Is support or training made available to all staff to help them integrate sustainability into the curriculum? Yes
- Is there a review and reporting process in place to monitor the integration of sustainability into the curriculum? No
Performance Section
10. Renewable Energy
Total Score: 1/6
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
University of Leicester purchases 0.00% of its electricity from renewable sources. |
0/3 |
University of Leicester generates 0 kWh of its energy by Combined Heat and Power (CHP). |
0/1 |
University of Leicester generates 0.03% energy on-site from Low or Zero-Carbon energy sources. |
1/2 |
11. Waste & Recycling
Total Score: 1/8
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
University of Leicester recycles 14.64% of its total waste. |
0/4 |
University of Leicester produces 143.94 kg of waste per head |
1/4 |
12. Carbon Reduction
Total Score: 0/10
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
University of Leicester's average carbon emissions per head is 2214.48kg CO2eq |
0/6 |
University of Leicester has increased its emissions since 2005 by 16.56% |
0/4 |
13: Water Consumption
Total Score: 1/6
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
University of Leicester uses 16.19kl water per head. |
1/4 |
0.0000% of University of Leicester's water comes from grey or rain water sources. |
0/2 |
