Universities are under increasing pressure to be more friendly to the environment. But how many are taking action? These university classifications reveal the best and worse places for sustainability.
Credit: Tetiana Shumbasova (background) – Shuttersock
The classifications of the General University of the United Kingdom can tell us a lot. But, when it comes to some of the problems that In fact He worries, like (a big one!) The planet, they can fall a little short.
If you have been wondering how sustainable your university is, don’t ask yourself more. These are the complete results that draw the environmental and ethical performance of the UNI in the United Kingdom.
How the Sustainability League of the University is calculated
These classifications were compiled by People and planet and included 149 universities throughout the United Kingdom.
As you can see in the results below, each university has been given a total percentage score. This is resolved based on its performance in 14 categories:
- Environmental policy
- Audit and EMS
- Carbon management
- Sustainable food
- Ethical investment
- Ethical races
- Sustainability of personnel
- Workers’ rights
- Staff commitment and students
- Sustainable Development Education
- Energy sources
- Waste and recycling
- Carbon reduction
- Water reduction.
The scores of each university in all categories are combined, with some categories that have more weight than others. A general total percentage is calculated, and the higher the total percentage, the greater the classification.
Most sustainable universities in the United Kingdom
These are the 10 most sustainable universities in the United Kingdom:
- University of Bedfordshire – 80.7%
- Montfort University – 76.8%
- West London University – 76%
- Reading University – 74%
- Metropolitan University of Manchester – 73.6%
- University of Worcester – 73.4%
- University of the Arts of London – 73.3%
- University Salford – 71%
- Exeter University – 70.9%
- University of Northumbria – 70.4%.
Do you ask how the University of Bedfordshire managed to reach the top in these classifications? They qualified 100% for environmental policy, 100% for auditing and EMS and 100% for water reduction. Wow.
While places like the University of Bedfordshire lead the way in terms of sustainability, others, in comparison, are doing much less. Hopefully your university does not appear on the list below.
Less sustainable universities
These are the 10 worst universities for sustainability:
- Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance – 16.7%
- Highlands and Islands University – 15.5%
- Royal Veterinary College – 15.3%
- London Business School – 14%
- Rose Bruford College of Theater and Performance – 14%
- University of Bolton – 13.9%
- Royal Northern College of Music – 12.5%
- University of Wolverhampton – 10.5%
- Ravensbourne University London – 7.4%
- The University Osteopathy College – 3.5%.
With a score of 0% in 11 categories, which include sustainable foods, carbon and ethical investment reduction, the University’s osteopathy school is placed 149 of 149 universities.
But, it is important to keep in mind that, if people and the planet cannot find information for some categories (that is, if the university has not made public information), they will give them a zero score. So, we hope, the University Osteopathy College It can be a bit more sustainable of what the results suggest.
If you have not seen your university yet, see the complete table of the League of the University of Sustainability below.
Complete Table of the University League for Sustainability
These are complete university sustainability classifications:
How to live sustainably with a budget
Sometimes, it may seem an impossible task to save the environment and Your bank account. But, fortunately, there are ways to live more sustainably without spending a fortune.
An easy way to reduce plastic waste and save money in the process is not to buy coffee cups or bottled drinks.
Buy a reusable container as a Travel coffee It will make a big difference. Some coffee shops also give you a discount to use your own cup (get more information in our guide to get free coffee).
In addition, you can avoid food waste (and the additional cost of replacing outdated foods) with some careful changes in the way you buy and store food.
In addition to this, be sure to know what you can and cannot recycle.
There are even things that can recycle for money, such as clothing, plastic bags, mobile phones and more.
Get more information in our guide about the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. The tips can help you save (or even earn) money.
