First class environmental sustainability

Worcester has been named as the third greenest university in the UK in the 2011 People & Planet Green League.

This is the third year in succession that we have been awarded a ‘First Class Honours’ by the Green League and  featured in the top 20 of the 142 universities taking part. The jump this year from seventeenth to third reflects our ongoing dedication to be a green university, with environmental sustainability and biodiversity a key priority across the entire institution.

All members of the University – students and staff alike – have worked positively to promote energy efficiency, recycling, cut private car journeys, shop locally, reduce carbon emissions and support Fair Trade and sustainability at home and abroad

A leading green university

The award is the latest in a string of environmental achievements for the University of Worcester, including EcoCampus Platinum, Fairtrade status, a Gold Green Apple and a Sound Environmental Impact Award.

Published in the Guardian, People & Planet’s Green League compares the strength of universities’ environmental initiatives and performance, but also the scope and ambition of their plans for improvement.

“It is a fantastic achievement to be ranked, once again, among the best institutions in the country,” said Katy Boom, the University’s Director of Environmental Sustainability. “We continually aim to improve our efforts to ensure that the University of Worcester is a sustainable university that exceeds environmental standards and public expectations.”

Working to become a more sustainable university

Some recent projects include;

  • Installing a 50kWp photovoltaic system on a roof to produce free electricity from the sun;
  • The first installation of electric and hybrid vehicle charging posts through the Plugged in Place Midlands scheme to provide an infrastructure for electric cars and vans;
  • Air source heat pumps to heat hot water on campus;
  • Changing lights to LED fittings;
  • A week of sustainability and environmental initiatives led by students;
  • Green Impact awards for staff teams across campus who made a host of small positive carbon saving changes to their workplace.