Reading achieves best ever rank in People & Planet league

The University of Reading has moved up 13 places to be ranked 15th in this year's People & Planet University League, published today.

People & Planet, an independent student campaigning network, reviews the environmental performance of higher education institutions across the UK in 13 topic areas, awarding degree-style classifications for their overall environmental and ethical performance.

With a score of 70% (up from 55% in 2019), this means the University has been awarded a 'First Class' rating for the third year in a row. A total of 154 institutions feature in this year's League.

Reading once again scored top marks for its Environmental Management and Auditing Systems, and saw improved scores in eight of the 13 categories. There was significant improvement in the Ethical Investment and Education for Sustainable Development categories, two areas that were highlighted for improvement in the last ranking. Improvements were also seen in Staff & Student Engagement, Workers' Rights, Waste & Recycling, Carbon Management and Water Reduction.

The last People & Planet University League, published in 2019, saw Reading ranked 29th out of 154 institutions.

Dan Fernbank, Energy & Sustainability Director, said:

"This is our best ever performance in the People & Planet Green League, reflecting the hard work we have put in over the last few years to expand our sustainability initiatives.  Many other institutions have also improved their scores, so it is pleasing to see we have risen up the rankings, and are part of a ‘race to the top' for environmental sustainability."

In preparing the league, People & Planet review publicly available data, both from institutions' own websites and from data available from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

The University recently announced its intention to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2030, which won Net Zero Strategy of the Year in The Energy Management Awards 2021.

The University has also set an ambition to reach the top five of the People & Planet University League as a KPI in its 2020-2026 Strategic Plan, demonstrating Reading's commitment to sustainability.