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EMBARGO: 13:00pm Tuesday 7 June 2011

Nottingham Trent named UK’s greenest university

• People & Planet Green League reveals major sustainability improvements in nearly all indicators, putting the sector on track for transition to low-carbon future.
• Carbon emissions still rising for some & majority of universities will miss government climate targets
• New free iPhone app allows students to select greenest universities

Full results of People & Planet’s Green League 2011 are available online from 13:00hrs on Tuesday 7 June at: http://peopleandplanet.org/greenleague

The People & Planet Green League 2011(1) unveiled today (7 June) by the UK’s leading student campaign network(2) reveals the environmental and ethical performance of 142 universities, awarding First Class ‘degrees’ to the best and Fail to those doing the least to address their impacts.

Nottingham Trent University takes the top spot this year for a second time (3), with strong scores for its environmental & carbon management policies as well as renewable energy and excellent recycling rates. The top 5 also includes the universities of Gloucestershire, Worcester, Plymouth, Bournemouth and Greenwich (the latter two are tied in 5th place).

Professor Neil Gorman, Vice-Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, said:

“We take our responsibility for reducing our environmental impact very seriously, and our position at the top of the People & Planet Green League shows that. I’m very proud of all the hard work and commitment from our staff and students that has helped towards this achievement and we will do all that we can to maintain our reputation as the most environmentally friendly and ethical university in the UK.”

The results show major improvements in 12 out of the 13 criteria used to rank universities and measure their transition to a fair & sustainable future – including:

• 8.3% increase in universities generating their own renewable energy on-site
• 57% of sector has put in place strong Carbon Management plans and climate targets
• 10% increase in energy-saving & recycling initiatives for students in halls of residence
• 10% increase in universities publishing Sustainable Food policies#
• 20% increase in universities employing at least one Sustainability Manager
• 68% of universities have now achieved Fairtrade status

However, the Green League also reveals that the sector’s carbon emissions have risen by 3.9% since 2005 and that 63% of universities are not yet on track to meet government carbon reduction targets of 34% cuts by 2020(4).

Russell Group institutions in particular have increased their climate emissions more than the sector average and none made it into the Top 20. The top of the league table is dominated by less research-intensive institutions and smaller teaching institutions who appear to be taking up the challenge of creating sustainability-savvy graduates more seriously.

Louise Hazan, who compiled People & Planet’s Green League 2011, said:

“This year’s results show the sector is making a clear transition towards low-carbon, sustainable operations and responding to increasing student demand for greener universities that offer value for money. However, despite clear progress in the last year on issues such as carbon management planning and student engagement, the fact that carbon emissions are still rising should sound alarm bells for Vice-Chancellors and the Government alike”.

As well as environmental impacts, the People & Planet Green League assessed how well universities are integrating sustainability in their core teaching and research activities with a new Curriculum criteria.

Robin Parker, President-elect of NUS Scotland, commented:

“More and more, students are seeking an education which equips them with the skills and knowledge to deal with the global challenges that their generation will face - challenges like climate change and global inequality. Given the current funding situation, it would be easy for institutions to see the sustainability agenda as a luxury – in fact, it is more important than ever.”

With environmental issues playing an important part in students’ choice of university(5), a new free interactive iPhone app launched alongside the People & Planet Green League 2011 allows students (and staff) to easily compare universities green credentials - from performance to curriculum. The application will be available to download from iTunes store from 7th June.

Finally, the People & Planet Green League 2011 also assessed universities’ commitment to ethical procurement. University of Sheffield is the first UK university to affiliate officially to the Worker Rights Consortium – an independent watchdog monitoring worker’s rights abuses in university supply chains.

Susan Nash, Vice-President Citizenship & Society, National Union of Students, said:

“With hikes in tuition fees next year and students wanting the best value for money, being green has never been more important for universities who are now competing for students. People & Planet’s launch of the Green League 2011 iPhone app makes it quick and simple for students to consider their Universities commitment to the environment when choosing their university.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

For further analysis, interviews or publication rights to the full People & Planet Green League 2011 table, please contact Louise Hazan on 01865 245678 or greenleague@peopleandplanet.org

(1) The People & Planet Green League 2011 ranks 142 UK universities – awarding them a First, 2:1, 2:2, Third, or Fail – according to environmental policy, management and actual performance in areas such as carbon reduction, waste recycling, energy efficiency, transport emissions, sustainable food, ethical procurement and water consumption. See full methodology

It combines data obtained directly from universities through the Freedom of Information Act with Estates Management Statistics data obtained from the Higher Education Statistic Agency. The full table is published on 7 June in partnership with The Guardian and is available in full to other publications from 8 June. The results can be viewed at: http://peopleandplanet.org/greenleague

(2) People & Planet is the largest UK student network campaigning to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment. Find out more The People & Planet Green League is produced as part of the Going Greener campaign which aims to transform the environmental performance of the UK education sector. Inspired by the Transition Towns movement, the campaign brings together staff and students to create transition universities by developing and implementing their own projects in response to climate change and energy security. Find out more about Transition Universities

(3) Nottingham Trent University also came top of the People & Planet Green League in 2009

(4) Current sector-wide targets, which apply only to English universities, are 34% or 43% by 2020 from 1990 or 2005 baselines respectively. Welsh, Northern Irish and Scottish universities are expecting similar and possibly even tougher sector-wide targets to be finalised and applied soon.

(5) A 2009 study by the HEA and NUS found that over a third of students consider the environment to be either a ‘very important’ or ‘somewhat important’ factor in their choice of university.

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