The University of Ulster has received a ‘First Class Honours’ award in the People and Planet Green League Table for the second year running.

The People and Planet Green League assesses the environmental and ethical performance of all universities annually, awarding first class ‘degrees’ to the most sustainable and a ‘fail’ to those doing the least to address their environmental and ethical impacts. Ulster is among 46 universities to achieve a first class award in the 2012 Green League.

In the past year, the University of Ulster has made substantial advances in reducing its environmental impact, including:
Carbon emissions reduced by 600 tonnes (3.3% reduction)
Electricity use reduced by 4%
Mains water use reduced by 22%
6.5% of the University’s electricity came from on campus renewable sources (Wind Turbine and Photo -voltaic generation)
Business mileage by car reduced by 8%

The Green League rates universities on several key factors including environmental policy and management, curriculum, fair-trade and ethical procurement, and environmental performance in the areas of waste and recycling, energy and water consumption.

Examples of key initiatives introduced by Ulster during the year include the commencement of embedding sustainability within teaching and learning programmes, energy efficiency measures including building insulation improvements, the upgrade of lighting and controls, and environmental audits to identify opportunities for improvement.
Adrian Davis, Sustainability Manager at the University of Ulster, said: “Retaining the first class award this year is very pleasing particularly as the scoring criteria were more stringent. This demonstrates the University’s commitment to sustainability through continuous performance improvement in this important area. There is still much work to be done, and I would urge staff and students to engage with the various sustainability initiatives as they are brought forward."


ENDS

Notes to editors

(1) Ulster is ranked joint 31st in the People and Planet Green League Table 2012.

(2) The People & Planet Green League is the only comprehensive and independent league table of UK universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance. It is compiled annually by the UK’s largest student campaigning network, People & Planet.http://peopleandplanet.org/greenleague. In 2012, the People & Planet Green League ranks 145 UK universities – awarding them a First, 2:1, 2:2, Third, or Fail. The ranking combines data obtained directly from universities through the Freedom of Information Act with Estates Management Statistics data obtained from the Higher Education Statistics Agency. More information: http://peopleandplanet.org/greenleague/methodology

The full results are published today in partnership with The Guardian and can be viewed at: http://peopleandplanet.org/greenleague

(3) People & Planet is the largest UK student network campaigning to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment. Find out more: http://peopleandplanet.org