Also in the top 5 are the universities of Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Central Lancashire and Aston University. The Green League is the only league table ranking all UK universities by environmental performance based on 11 environmental policy and performance-related criteria including carbon emissions per head and percentage of waste recycled.
Manchester Metropolitain University (MMU), which jumped 30 places to 27th in the Green League 2010, is one of 20 universities taking part in a pioneering behaviour change programme, Degrees Cooler, led by NUS. A student-led energy-saving competition between halls of residence saved £14,000 on electricity bills this year and cut 75 tonnes of carbon(4) off the university's carbon footprint.
Whilst some universities are on track to cut emissions by 34% over the next 10 years, the Green League also shows a severe lack of ambition and urgency across the sector more broadly, despite the fact that capital funding will soon be linked to emissions cuts.
Susan Nash, Vice President (Society and Citizenship) said "NUS is pleased to support the People & Planet Green League, a powerful tool which has transformed institutions, and helped put sustainability well and truly on the desk of every Vice Chancellor. The Green League demonstrates the range of successful schemes in operation, giving students and staff vital information about the success and gaps in institutional performance".