You may be aware of the recent publication of the People & Planet University League, which seeks to rank Universities across the UK on the basis of their environmental and ethical performance. The University of Southampton is currently ranked 94th out of 154 institutions.
Rachel Mills, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences says:
“For a number of years we have actively questioned the methodology of this league table, which is based purely on publicly available data and only reflects a small amount of the work and effort taking place to improve the sustainability in all areas of the University.”
Pictured above: Rachel Mills, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
Adam Tewkesbury, Associate Director Transport & Sustainability says: “Through our membership of, and leading contributions to, the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC) we have engaged with People & Planet to consider alternative, more accurate metrics, however to date the methodology has not changed. As a result we, along with a significant number of other leading universities, do not consider the ranking in this league table to be an accurate reflection of our current or past environmental and ethical performance.”
Rachel continues: “The results do, however, highlight a need for better and clearer public-facing communication on the significant investment made by the University into the sustainability of our campuses, and our continued improvements relating to environmental and ethical performance.
“This is a priority for our Environment & Sustainability Steering Group, Policy and Management System. We welcome the opportunity to open up the discussion around our sustainability plans and ambitions for carbon neutrality which will require a step change in our actions in the near future. We will be holding a number of workshops in Sept-Nov 2019 where we anticipate all members of our community will contribute to these discussions and help develop specific plans for our future.”
For further information about sustainability at the University please visit our website.
