University of Chichester moves up league tables

The university moved up 41 places in the People and Planet Green League 2011, rising from 82nd to 41st.

All universities were judged across a range of criteria, such as whether it has an environmental policy, whether it participates in the Fairtrade scheme or other sustainability programmes, and how engaged staff and students are with the environmental aspirations of the university.

Chief operating officer at the university Ian Child, said: “We are delighted to have made such a dramatic rise up the league table, a significant reward for our staff and students who have put in so much hard work on environmental projects.

“We take our responsibilities seriously, not only to our staff, students and visitors, but as part of the local community and the environmental impact we have on the area as well.

“There is a strong commitment to this issue from the senior management team – environmental sustainability is one of our key priorities, placing it at the heart of university operations.

“With the active support of the Students’ Union, the importance of becoming a greener university has been embraced across the institution, and is beginning to become part of the day-to-day business rather than seen as a stand-alone initiative.”

Measures the university undertakes include a student departure day recycling programme, which reduces the amount of end-of-term rubbish that is sent to landfill, and improvements to the environmental performance of buildings.

There is also a sustainable travel plan which has been introduced to encourage staff and students to car-share or use public transport when travelling to campus.

The university has also recently received re-accreditation as a Fairtrade university for a further two years.