The University of Ulster has become the most environmentally friendly university in Northern Ireland – and that’s official.

A new Green League Table of UK universities, published in today’s Guardian newspaper, rates Ulster as ‘First Class’, coming in at No 19 of the 142 higher education institutions surveyed – and the most improved in the UK.

Compiled for the newspaper by People and Planet, the UK’s largest student campaigning network, the Green League Table rates institutions on several key factors, including  ethical procurement:  carbon management;  environmental audit systems; water and recycling; water use reduction energy sources; staff/student engagement; curriculum, and environmental policy.

Adrian Davis, Ulster's Sustainability Manager said:  "The University is very pleased with its improved position in this year’s Green League.  This was a result of key work undertaken during the year –  including a revised environmental policy statement, the development of a new Carbon Management Plan, the introduction of an internal environmental auditing process, and improved waste management practices resulting in increased levels of recycling and recovery and improvements to waste reporting.

"While this demonstrates good progress, we recognise that there is still much work we can do to improve further the University’s environmental performance."

The full Green League table data can be accessed at :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2011/jun/07/green-league-table-2011