The People and Planet University League ranks University of Leicester 30th in its 2016 league table

People and Planet league table shows rise of 64 places for Leicester

LEICESTER, 23-Nov-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Leicester has increased its position in a league table of UK universities’ environmental and ethical performance, for the first time achieving a ‘First Class’ rating.

The People and Planet University League, published in The Guardian, has ranked Leicester 30^th in its 2016 league table, a rise of 64 places from 94^th in 2015 and placing it in the League’s ‘First Class’ universities.

It 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.

The University of Leicester’s score has improved as a culmination of years of hard work sowing seeds which are now bearing fruits, as well as refinements to data collection by People and Planet.

The most notable areas of improvement were in:

Engagement – the University has recently won a Highly Commended Green Gown Award for its APPLES programme

Education – a new ESD programme includes online and face to face inter- and extra-curricular opportunities and there are plans to embed sustainability skills into the curriculum

Energy sources – the CHP scheme and other initiatives such as solar PV are now paying off

Carbon Management – energy saving schemes across the University are saving valuable resources and reducing negative environmental impacts

Dr Sandra Lee, Acting Sustainability Manager, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the whole University as we all contribute to our carbon footprint as well as our sustainability-related teaching and research.

“We are delighted that the work we have done on sustainability over the past few years is now being recognised and we are committed to continue this work.

“We are aware that this is something that our students want, particularly our international students. This comes on the heels of the news that 86% of Leicester students in a recent NUS survey said that they believed that universities should actively incorporate and promote sustainable development.

“However, we cannot rest on our laurels! Many other leading universities also scored very highly and we are going to focus on developing our improvement areas for next year.”

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SOURCE:  University of Leicester

Notes to editors:

For more information contact Dr Sandra Lee on 0116 252 2306 or sll33@le.ac.uk.