First class honours for BU in Green League Table

10 June 2010

BU rises to claim top 20 spot amongst UK's greenest universities.

BU has leapt up the UK universities Green League Table to reach the top 20 for the first time reflecting its strong commitment to effective environmental management and performance.

Compiled by People & Planet – the largest student campaigning network in Britain – this year’s table saw BU rise 11 places to joint 20th out of 133 institutions. The ranking means that BU has risen 18 places over the last two years and receives a degree-style award of ‘First Class Honours’ based on a wide range of criteria.

BU scores a rating of ‘Excellent’ in this year’s table for environmental auditing and waste management. The University is also recognised for its good environmental policies, environmental staffing, ethical investment and student & staff engagement.

“For many years, Bournemouth University has had a strong commitment to the environment, and reduction of carbon emissions in particular,” said David Willey, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chair of its Environment Group. “Such a commitment is no longer an option for universities such as ours. It is nevertheless pleasing that our commitment and performance have been recognised in this important way.”

In recent months, BU has achieved the UK national Silver EcoCampus Award for its environmental management system. As participants in the Carbon Trust’s Higher Education Carbon Management Programme, the University has now approved a detailed Strategy & Implementation Plan to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2015/16.

The University now recycles 44% of its waste – up from 41% last year – thanks, in part, to increased awareness amongst students and staff coupled with the introduction of new campus-based mixed recycling bins earlier in the current academic year.

BU’s green travel plan was also re-launched last year calling for students and staff to take further advantage of opportunities to use public transport, car-sharing, walking and cycling as a means of getting to and from University in an effort to reduce traffic and associated carbon emissions in the community.

Amanda Williams, BU’s Environment and Energy Manager, said: “We’re pleased that BU’s efforts to address the many issues related to the environment have been reflected in our progress in this year’s Green League.

“We have a number of initiatives underway to reduce further the impact of the University on the community and the environment, involving the work of many students and staff who share in our success.”

Louise Hazan of People and Planet added: “Congratulations again on a fantastic score this year, Bournemouth can be very proud of its performance in this year's People & Planet Green League and is obviously among the leading universities in the UK in terms of tackling climate change and environmental impacts.”