PA 25/14
The University of Nottingham has been ranked number one in the world in a list of the most sustainable universities.
Nottingham was listed first out of the 301 universities from 61 countries that took part in the Greenmetric Ranking of World Universities 2013, which is produced by the University of Indonesia.
The ranking factors in a wide range of criteria, which includes energy and carbon management programmes, water and waste management, sustainability-related teaching and research, quality green space on campus and sustainable transportation.
Energy and carbon management
This is not the first time the University has appeared highly in the rankings, after also coming in first in 2011 and second in both 2013 and 2010.
Andy Nolan, Director of Sustainability at the University, said: “Sustainability is high on the agenda at Nottingham and we are continuously looking at ways of reducing our carbon footprint and being as ‘green’ as possible. To be recognised in an international poll such as this is a tremendous achievement and is a reflection of the hard work that is being done here by staff and students alike.”
Nottingham performed particularly well in terms of its focus on energy and carbon management, as well as its progress on waste management and recycling rates and the success of its campus Hopper Bus.
Last year’s ‘green’ highlights include:
The Energy Technologies Building – the first laboratory in England to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating. This is the highest possible for environmental sustainability
Work has also started on The GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry, which is the first of its kind in the UK. The new carbon neutral laboratory building will provide unrivalled facilities for chemistry. The focus on sustainability will be reflected in the building itself, which will incorporate the latest technologies to allow it to be carbon neutral over its lifetime.
The continuous improvements the University is making to the green space across all campus’ which now covers 67% of all space.
Sustainable Nottingham
The University launched its environmental strategy in 2010 and its aims for achieving excellence in sustainability across all areas.
This is not the first green accolade Nottingham has received in the last 12 months, having already secured a prestigious Green Flag Award for a second site last year as Jubilee Campus’ impressive outside space and sustainable credentials were honoured.
The full Greenmetric Ranking list is available online
— Ends —
Our academics can now be interviewed for broadcast via our new Globelynx fixed camera facility at the University. For further information please contact a member of the Communications team on +44 (0)115 951 5798, email mediahub@nottingham.ac.uk or see the Globelynx website for how to register for this service.
For up to the minute media alerts follow us on Twitter
Notes to editors: The University of Nottinghamhas 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also the most popular university among graduate employers, the world’s greenest university, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the World's Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest-ever fundraising campaign, is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news…