- News -

Alfa Energy client ranked among top 10 sustainable universities

Published December 17, 2021

One of Alfa Energy’s clients, the University of Bedfordshire, has been ranked in the top 10 most environmentally sustainable universities in the UK.

While Manchester Metropolitan University topped the People & Planet University League for the third time, the University of Bedfordshire (UoB) came in eighth, with a score of 75.2%. UoB scored 100% on auditing and EMS and energy sources. It scored 87.5% on carbon reduction and 85% on carbon management.

“Alfa Energy Group has been working with the UoB for a number of years to enhance their sustainability, carbon and energy credentials,” said Matthew Roberts, sustainability consultant at Alfa Energy, who wrote the Carbon Management Plan for UoB. “This is reflected in the University’s continual top 10 placing in the People and Planet Green League.”

The Green League is seen as the definitive ranking system for students, parents, and other stakeholders to assess a universities sustainability credentials. The League ranks 154 UK universities against sustainability and ethics criteria.

Manchester Metropolitan University topped the League with a score of 86.3%. It scored 92% of all available marks on policy-related criteria, showing it has put sustainability at the centre of organisational strategy. It has also performed well in carbon reduction, with a 64.77% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2005.

The 2021 League shows the sustainability performance of the higher education sector is improving, with 46% of the higher education sector on track to meet the emissions reduction target set by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, up from one third in 2019. However, 54% of institutions are still not on course to meet the target with one year until the deadline.

The UoB’s targets are stringent, however: all Scope 1 & 2 and Scope 3 emissions must be reduced by 29.4% by 2025, in line with the SBTi. This is to be achieved by reducing Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 1,245 tCO2e and Scope 3 emissions by 8,896 tCO2e. UoB expects to save around £506,000 per year, which equates to an overall payback of 7 years for all projects combined.

https://peopleandplanet.org/university-league

Tags Green League Manchester Metropolitan University University of Bedfordshire