St Andrews tops poll of Scotland’s ‘green’ universities

The University of St Andrews has been rated one of the greenest universities in Scotland.

St Andrews and Edinburgh share joint top place in today’s Times Higher Education Supplement ‘green league’ (8 June 2007). The institutions also share joint eighth place in the UK.

National student organisation ‘People and Planet’ commended St Andrews for its carbon emissions, recycling rates and energy consumed from renewable resources. The University achieved one of only 15 ‘Firsts’ awarded, pointing to its ‘solid environmental performance’.

The green league table points to a variety of factors including the University’s full-time environmental staff, comprehensive environmental audit, green travel plan and Fairtrade status.

Roddy Yarr, Environment and Energy Manager said, “This is a recognition of the work the University has been doing to improve its environmental performance so it is fantastic to have this recognised.  Our aim will continue to be to further integrate environment and sustainability issues within the University’s operations. Next year, we aim to improve on our ranking further.”

According to the study, most (78) UK universities now have a green travel plan, 57 have full-time environmental staff and 28 carry out fully comprehensive environmental auditing. However, another 28 have no publicly available environmental policy.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

For more information, please call Roddy Yarr – telephone 01334 463995.

Issued by Press Office, University of St Andrews

Contacts:
Claire Grainger, Press Officer – 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or email [email protected]
Gayle Cook, Press Officer – 01334 462529, 07900 050 103 or email [email protected]

Ref: green 080607

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