News

Green success: 21 today

Published 8 June 2011

The University of Brighton has climbed ten places to 21st in the latest People & Planet's annual Green League.

People & Planet, a student network campaigning to protect the environment, awarded Brighton a First Class honour, one of only 31 among the country's 142 universities and other higher education institutions

Professor Stuart Laing, the university's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: "This reflects the hard work staff and students are putting into making our institution more sustainable.

"We are pleased with our improved league position but recognise there is much more to do and much more we can do. Protecting and renewing our shared natural and built environment is the greatest challenge facing our planet and all universities have an important part to play in meeting this challenge. Our aim at Brighton is to be a truly sustainable university in everything that we do."

Louise Hazan, People & Planet's climate change campaigns and communications manager, said: "We congratulate the University of Brighton on an excellent score in this year's Green League ranking.

"In particular, Brighton should be proud of how well it is engaging staff and students in shaping their transition towards low-carbon, sustainable operations. The fact that the university scored 12 out of 13 for student and staff engagement shows clearly they are responding to increasing student demand for greener universities."

Points were also awarded for environmental policy, management staff, environmental auditing and management systems, ethical investment, carbon management, ethical procurement, sustainable food, curriculum, energy sources, waste and recycling, carbon reduction and water reduction.

Professor Marie Harder, sustainable development facilitator, said: "Every year the Green League requirements get tougher, but our continuous efforts mean we keep going up; we were at 50th place in 2007.

"Every department of the university is involved and improving: catering, personnel, finance, the faculties, student services – all are essential – and our success is greatly due to the fact that our senior management facilitate cross-university actions, led by Professor Laing.

"This is the first year Green League has assessed sustainable development in the curriculum, which we have always been quietly good at.

"Estates and facilities management has made some wonderful progress this year with several new staff leading on a platform of activities. Their efforts are not fully recorded yet and will contribute to even higher marks next year.

"It is even more remarkable that the university has achieved so much without extra staff; sustainable development is truly embedded in workplans and very little resource is used on sustainable development-specific staff. This year two placement students were absolutely invaluable in assisting with coordination; they also left with great experiences under their belts to offer future employers."

Professor Marie Harder