In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a very concerning report discussing the massive impacts of global warming. According to the report, a 1.5°C temperature increase in pre-industrial levels can have significant effects on the environment, leading to species loss, higher sea levels, weather extremes, and so on.
With these things in mind, it becomes our responsibility to actively do something that contributes to positive environmental changes. One of the best methods to do so is by teaching younger generations how to make practical changes in their lives, which leads to a more sustainable environment.
Schools and universities play a big role in this, as they have the potential to shape young minds into having a proactive approach towards climate change both through education and practical examples.
Many universities already do this, implementing a variety of initiatives that help them become more eco-friendly. These are the examples we are here to talk about today, so we will be going through a list of the most environmentally-friendly universities in the UK. By taking a look at the changes they have implemented, other universities can learn how to promote sustainability inside their campuses and make small adjustments that lead to a greener planet.
1. University of Bristol
The first one on our list is the University of Bristol, which in 2019 was the first university in the UK to declare a climate emergency due to deep concerns students had about the future of the planet. The university makes continuous efforts to become carbon neutral by 2030, and even though the pandemic did not make things easier, they already managed to cut down emissions by 27%.
Among other green initiatives, the University of Bristol aims to recycle over 95% of its waste, encourages students to use sustainable means of transportation by giving free bus passes, and continues to renovate the campus keeping sustainability in mind. They have installed solar panels, natural ventilation systems, as well as LED lights, and they are constantly trying to educate students towards a more sustainable future.
Campuses don’t need to invest a ton of money to make greener changes. One of the easiest things they can do is invest in a proper recycling system that helps students manage waste better and also informs them how to recycle properly. If space and hygiene are a concern, waste compactors can be installed inside dorms to allow students to recycle much easier. And they don’t even need to buy them. For example, Miltek, a leading company in the waste management sector, provides compactor rental options so that costs are more manageable. Miltek compactors are easy to use, don’t take up much space, and universities can up or downsize according to their needs.
2. Manchester Metropolitan University
The Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) received a lot of sustainability awards in the past years, including first place in the People & Planet University League. The program evaluates UK universities and ranks them based on their environmental and ethical efforts.
MMU has proven multiple times that it is fully devoted to making a positive impact on environmental change and promotes sustainable living through a multitude of initiatives. For example, the Big Impact program includes a variety of activities and events created together with the local community and aims to teach students more about how they can contribute to positive changes.
The university is committed to recycling over 60% of its waste and even goes as far as awarding students for their recycling efforts by providing paid opportunities for students that want to become student environmental ambassadors.
Change can sometimes be difficult to implement, as people are hard to convince their efforts matter. But by giving students significant rewards for their efforts, MMU motivated them to make active changes in their daily habits.
3. The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent
The UI GreenMetric World University Ranking placed both universities in Nottingham among the top 5 greenest universities in the world, so we could not leave them out of our list.
The University of Nottingham encourages students to get actively involved in sustainable activities by coming up with various programs and rewards. For example. The Student Switch Off rewards the campus hall that saves the most energy and recycles most waste with a party and a bunch of ice cream. It may not sound like much, but people like getting something in return, so this reward system has proven to be very effective for the campus. The University Park campus is also known for providing lots of green spaces, recreational areas, and sports facilities for students that want to live a healthy life.
Nottingham Trent University aims to reduce the carbon footprint of each and every one of its students and campus staff members by 29% and recycles more than 90% of the generated waste. What’s more, one of its campuses, the Clifton Campus, has managed to achieve a Green Flag each year since 2012.
4. University of Gloucestershire
Remember the People & Planet University League we mentioned earlier? Well, they ranked the University of Gloucestershire second after the Manchester Metropolitan University in their top of the greenest universities in the UK, and for very good reasons.
The university makes constant efforts to encourage students to take an active part in the campus’ culture of sustainability through various projects and activities. One example is the Live Smart project, which aims to educate students on living a healthier, more sustainable life.
Besides education, the University of Gloucestershire is very involved in reducing its carbon footprint and manage waste. Since 2009, it managed to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills by 98%, and 71% of the waste is recycled. The university works closely with the British Heart Foundation to encourage both its students and its staff to donate things they do not use instead of sending them to the trash bins. The campus is also very green, having lots of gardens, lakes, and recreational spaces that go hand in hand with their sustainability efforts.
