The University of Reading has once again proven it’s a true sustainability champion, earning fourth place in the 2024 People & Planet University League. Consistently in the top 5 for several years, Reading shows how serious it is about tackling environmental challenges. This latest milestone reflects the university’s passion for weaving sustainability into everything it does from daily operations to teaching and community outreach.
What is the People & Planet University League?
People & Planet is the UK’s largest student led organization for environmental and social justice, releases an annual league table that evaluates universities on their sustainability efforts. They look at critical areas like cutting carbon emissions, ethical investments, and climate focused education. The competition is fierce, but Reading’s consistent top rankings highlight just how deeply it cares about sustainability.
A Look at Reading’s Sustainability Wins
In the latest rankings, Reading scored an impressive 74%, which qualifies as a first class university rating, with standout performances in these areas:
- Policy and Strategy (100%): The University of Reading has set a range of bold targets, including: to reduce carbon emissions, become Net Zero by 2030, reduce the impact of its business travel and reduce the amount of waste person generated.
- Energy and Environmental Management Systems (100%): The University keeps a close eye on its environmental impact through detailed audits and operates a combined energy and environmental management system. From tracking energy use to improving waste management, Reading is always looking for ways to do better.
- Sustainable Food (100%): When it comes to food, Reading is setting the standard. By prioritizing local sourcing, ethical procurement, and waste reduction, the university’s sustainable dining program has made a real difference.
- Education for Sustainable Development (ESD, 100%): Reading also achieved 100% in Education for Sustainable Development and Staff Engagement & HR, proving that sustainability is a priority across its entire community.
Everyone’s effort counts
Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, credits this success to teamwork:
“This is a fantastic accomplishment for our staff, students, and the local community. While being ranked first last year was a proud moment, our mission is far from over. We’re continuing to work hard to shrink our environmental footprint, encourage sustainable practices, and take meaningful action against climate change.”
Leading by example
The University of Reading’s thoughtful and hands on approach to sustainability sets a powerful example for others. Whether it’s strong policies, community driven projects, or practical actions, Reading proves that meaningful change is possible. Its efforts not only create a lasting impact locally but also inspire global action against climate change.
You can find out more about how the University of Reading is making a difference by visiting our website and by reading our latest environmental sustainability report.
Sabat Azeez, Sustainability, University of Reading
