Release Date 04 March 2013

The University of Reading has been ranked in the top 20 green universities in the UK in the Environment Agency's carbon management rankings.

The University's ranking, 17^th of 128 universities and colleges, in the CRC Performance League Table¹, recognises the progress that the University has made in reducing its carbon emissions in recent years.

The University of Reading has set an ambitious target to reduce its carbon emissions by 35% by 2015/16 and through a major investment programme and behaviour change campaign, the University is almost halfway to achieving the target after two years.

Dan Fernbank, Energy Manager at the University of Reading, said: "It is very heartening to see national recognition for the considerable efforts the University has been making to reduce its carbon emissions. Our carbon performance is ahead of other top universities, as well as many government departments, local councils and hospitals.

"We have invested over £1 million in a whole raft of measures which deliver carbon savings to the University, for example, better insulation, improved control of heating and ventilation systems and upgrades in lighting are helping us manage our buildings better. We have also installed solar panels, which produced 44,000 kWh in their first year alone, and we work hard to raise awareness among staff and students of environmental excellence."

The University has achieved the Carbon Trust Standard for its entire estate, which recognises the reductions achieved in carbon emissions and strong environmental management practices.  It has also won a number of awards, including the Gold EcoCampus award, which helps higher education institutions improve their environmental performance.

More about the University's plans to reduce its carbon footprint and its good environmental practise can be found at www.reading.ac.uk/cleanandgreen 

ENDS

Further information from Alex Brannen, University of Reading, 0118 378 8005

Notes to editors:

¹The Environment Agency rankings are based on the ¹Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme, a mandatory carbon tax paid by large, non-energy intensive organisations on their carbon emissions from the energy they consume.

The University of Reading is halfway to achieving its 35% carbon reduction target just two and a half years into the five year 'carbon management plan'. So far the total carbon emissions have been reduced by 16.5%, which has resulted in cumulative savings of £3.9 million and 11,137 tonnes of CO₂e to date. In the last year 53.7% of the University's waste was diverted away from landfill (which exceeds the ambitious target of 50% set in 2011/12), and significant savings have been made thanks to the installation of solar panels, draught proofing and the efforts of students and staff across our campuses.

More at www.reading.ac.uk/cleanandgreen