Northumbria has
been named 4th most sustainable University in the UK in the 2019
People & Planet University League, the highest ever ranking for the
University in this league table.
People &
Planet is a student-led network which produces a comprehensive league table
evaluating all UK universities on their sustainability activity and
performance. Scoring criteria includes environmental management systems, carbon
and waste management, education for sustainable development as well as ethical
performance.
Northumbria has
been improving its position in the league in recent years; from a starting position of 101st in 2012, it rose
to 37th place in 2017/18, followed by the jump to 4th place this academic year. The University is also one of only 30 to be awarded
first-class status in the league based on its score.
The University
scored particularly well for its Environmental Sustainability Policy and
Strategy, carbon management, and waste and recycling.
Northumbria University's Strategy 2018-23 commits to achieving significant improvements in environmental
sustainability and to supporting the UN Sustainable Development goals. The rise
in the People & Planet ranking reflects the holistic approach the University
is taking through embedding sustainability across all of its activities, from its
research and teaching to campus operations.
Professor
George Marston, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation said: “This is an excellent result and recognises the many
sustainability initiatives we have developed and grown over recent years - from
fantastic carbon reductions to cutting edge research partnerships, as well as
engagement projects with students, staff and the wider community. We look
forward to building on our outstanding performance as we make our campuses ever
more sustainable, and support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals".
The outstanding
score in the league marks another sustainability achievement for Northumbria in
an already successful year. The University has recently been shortlisted for two Green Gown Awards in the
‘Benefitting Society’ and ‘Campus of the Future’ categories and its Environmental
Management System has been awarded ISO 14001 certification.
For
further information on sustainability activities at Northumbria University
visit northumbria.ac.uk/sustainability.
