Rising to global challenges

By jackiesimpsonJun 13, 2024
The University of Reading is committed to supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which is evidenced in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Global Impact Rankings for 2024. We are now joint 28 in the world, out of 2031 participating institutions. This is up from 61st place in 2023. This shows our commitment to addressing the challenges that the goals set out such as hunger, poverty, equality and the environment. We are absolutely delighted with this results and were within the top 30 globally in 5 SDGs, which were: 3 in SDG12 - Responsible production and consumption 16 in SDG15…
Awards and Achievements
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Rising to the top of the green league

By jackiesimpsonDec 13, 2023
The University of Reading has been ranked as the number one University in the 2023/24 People and Planet University League, rising from 4th place last year. This is the first time the University has achieved 1st place and we’re enormously proud to attain this, out of 151 UK Universities which reflects our environmental leadership and institutional commitment to sustainability . We have attained the 1st class universities status consistently since 2019. Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 P&P Score 55% No league published 69.9% 75.8% 81.8% Our overall score in 2019 was 55%, and in 2023 this has risen to…
Awards and Achievements, Policy
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Sustainability Champions Network

Sustainability Champions Network As part of the Our Future First sustainable behaviours programme, a network of sustainability champions has been set up across all schools and functions with the University. Champions are volunteers who care about sustainability and want to work collaboratively to make a positive difference, helping to reduce the environmental impact of their department and the University. Our champions are integral to the Our Future First programme - they inspire others; influence departmental decisions to factor in sustainability; act as our 'eyes and ears' across campus to identify opportunities for improvements; and share ideas, listen and learn from…
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Henley Business School- Number 1 business faculty in the UK for smallest carbon footprint

By jackiesimpsonAug 14, 2023
Recently,  the FT Masters in Finance Ranking has recognised our Henley Business School for having a minimal carbon footprint, coming joint first in the UK overall in this element the FT’s Rankings. This achievement reflects the commitment we have towards maintaining our green credentials, and also to our Net Zero by 2030 strategy. Click this link to our webpage, which details our carbon management projects: Carbon Management Projects - Sustainability (reading.ac.uk). We are currently the 4th most sustainable university in the UK, according to the latest ‘People and Planet’ University League in 2022. Click this link to find out more:…
Awards and Achievements, Energy and Water
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Reading places 1-2-3 in Europe for work towards UN Sustainable Development Goals

By jackiesimpsonJun 12, 2023
University of Reading has been ranked as the best university in the UK and Europe for championing responsible consumption and production in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2023. It has also been ranked second in the UK and Europe for climate action and third for research and education linked to protecting life on land. Compiled by THE, these rankings map how universities around the world are committing to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a global call to action to tackle some of today’s biggest global issues, such as poverty, climate change and inequality.…
Awards and Achievements, Waste and Recycling
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Our Future First

Our Future First is the University’s sustainable behaviours programme which will embed sustainability into our culture, with everyone playing their part to create collective, positive change for our community and our planet. Why: To address the dual challenges of meeting our sustainability commitment to become Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and tackling rapidly rising energy costs. Who: Develop a network of sustainability champions across all schools and fucntions on Whiteknights, London Road and Greenlands. How: Collaborate, listen, share, teach, learn, inspire, connect, evolve, celebrate - everyone working together to take small actions which collectively have a big impact. We can…
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Celebrating sustainability – Green Festival 2022

By jackiesimpsonDec 05, 2022
Green Festival is the University of Reading’s annual sustainability celebration, where we come together to promote, educate and celebrate sustainable actions amongst our local community, staff and students. This year a range of different events were held from 1 to 11 November, with something for everyone. Sustainability is a key strategic priority for the University and an estimated 500 attendees participated in the festival –clearly demonstrating that sustainability is important to each and every one of us. Highlights this year included: The ‘Play your emissions right’ game from Reading Buses was an effective and popular way of showing staff and…
Awards and Achievements, Behaviour Change, Energy and Water
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Sustainability Volunteering

MAKE A DIFFERENCE We all have our part to play in transitioning to a more sustainable future. If you're feeling inspired to help make a difference, why not take action and join a sustainable volunteering group. There are plenty of options to choose from both on campus and in the local area, enabling you to give back, support the cause and ultimately make a contribution to reducing the environmental impact on our planet. Not only will you be helping the environment, volunteering can provide an opportunity to meet like minded people, learn new skills, and studies have shown that it…
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A new LEAF in laboratory sustainability at the university

By rhidiandaviesJun 29, 2022
A new LEAF in laboratory sustainability at the university The University of Reading provides invaluable teaching and research through our on-campus laboratories. The nature of laboratory work is very carbon-intensive and, as a result, the universities’ science-based buildings represent 25% of total energy consumption and produce 20% of total day-to-day waste (by weight) . In order to support all relevant departments with creating a more sustainable laboratory culture, we are now participating in the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF). LEAF is an online assessment tool to aid improvements in the sustainability and efficiency of both research and teaching laboratories and is already…
Awards and Achievements, Behaviour Change, Energy and Water, Waste and Recycling
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BEIS’ Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) grant

By jackiesimpsonJan 31, 2022
The University has been awarded a £100,000 grant from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The grant comes from BEIS’ Green Heat Network Fund (GNHF) and will be fund matched by the University. The GNHF aims to transform UK heating by switching existing heat networks to low carbon fuel sources. This grant will enable us to commission design work to assist with the decarbonisation of the heating systems at Whiteknights campus. Specifically this will focus on plans to install a large heat pump into our energy centre. The energy centre currently provides heating to 16 buildings on the…
Awards and Achievements, Energy and Water
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