RGU Rises in National Sustainability Rankings

The People & Planet University League ranks 147 UK universities against 14 criteria linked to climate and social justice. These criteria span key areas including environmental policy, carbon management, staff and education.

Institutions are assessed using the familiar UK higher education grading system, receiving a 1st, 2:1, 2:2, 3rd or fail. RGU has achieved an overall grade of 2:1, placing it as the third highest-ranked university in Scotland. The University performed particularly strongly in the areas of policy and strategy, education for sustainable development and waste and recycling.

This improved ranking highlights the University’s strategic efforts to embed sustainability across its operations, governance, teaching and engagement activities, benefiting both the RGU community and wider society. The Sustainability Group plays a central role in driving this work, particularly through implementing and monitoring initiatives to reduce emissions.

RGU has recorded a consistent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions since  2015/16, achieving a 50% reduction to date. By cutting both direct emissions, including those from boilers and vehicles, and indirect emissions associated with electricity and heat consumption, the University is progressing well towards achieving its own organisational net zero ambitions by 2045.  

Veronica Strachan, University Secretary and Vice Principal Corporate Services, said: “Climbing seven places is a fantastic achievement for the University and a clear testament to the commitment of our entire community to tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

“While there is still more work to do, these scores are welcome progress and reinforce that we are on the right path to delivering meaningful, long-term change, with the needs of the planet firmly at the heart of our research and innovation.”