According to the QS Sustainability Rankings 2023, the University of York has ranked as the eighth most sustainable university in the UK.
York ranked at joint 36th place in the world, alongside the University of Adelaide, in Australia.
The rankings assessed 700 universities around the world against their ability to “tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance challenges.”
Entries were judged on their overall sustainability, as well as the sustainability of their research and education provision. Social impact measurements such as equality, knowledge exchange, educational impact, employability, and quality of life were also taken into account.
The QS Sustainability Rankings 2023 is QS’ first league table focused on social and environmental sustainability in higher education institutions.
York gained recognition for their sustainability initiatives, which includes the YORCUP Scheme, which has saved over one million single-use plastic cups from landfill. The University also benefits from 26,000kWh per year of solar energy generated by 80 solar panels installed across campus.
Mark Clough, Sustainability Manager at the University of York, said:
“We are really pleased that our work as a community to enhance sustainability locally and globally through all areas of the University’s teaching and learning, research and campus operations have been recognised in these rankings.
“We are ambitious in our plans to continue to operate in a more sustainable way and are working alongside the local community and other partners to reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint, procure goods responsibly, embed innovative environmental sustainability in our education and keep it at the forefront of our research.”
This accolade comes after the University was ranked top in the region for sustainability, according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.