Sustainability

Edinburgh one of top Universities for ethics and environmental responsibility

The University of Edinburgh was ranked one of top universities for ethics and environmental responsibility in Scotland in the People & Planet University League table and commended for its commitments to Workers' Rights.

People & Planet’s University League is a comprehensive and independent league table of UK universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance. It is compiled annually by the UK’s largest student campaigning network, People & Planet, and published by The Guardian.

The University of Edinburgh achieved a 2.1 ranking, holding its score from last year and improving its position by two places to 44th place out of 151 institutions in the UK, and 4th out of 15 in Scotland.

I am delighted by our success in the People & Planet University League. This achievement reflects the efforts of staff and students in making the University of Edinburgh more socially responsible. I am particularly pleased that despite continued growth in the size of our campus, we have not only maintained our position but continued to improve our score. I am also happy to see that our efforts to understand our supply chains better have been recognised.

Dave GormanDirector of Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Commitment to transparency

"We are committed to transparency," says Dave Gorman, "and we will report our progress to staff, students and the wider community in order to drive change in policy and practice."

"It is important that the University League continues to develop and command support from across the sector. We look forward to working with People & Planet, and with colleagues from across the sector to develop the University League further.”

Commendation for Workers' Rights

"The University of Edinburgh has ranked in the top 50 since we started the People and Planet University league in 2007", said Hannah Smith, University League Manager at People & Planet.

The University also achieved the highest score in the UK for Workers' Rights.

We celebrate Edinburgh's commitment to tackle the social justice aspects of sustainability, like Workers Rights for the people that make the computers that staff and students use on campus - this year Edinburgh set the bar for highest UK university score in the Workers Rights criteria.

Hannah SmithUniversity League Manager, People & Planet