Keele University has been judged as a “First Class” institution in an assessment of its environmental and ethical impact.

This year’s People and Planet University League Table, which ranks UK universities on their levels of sustainability, has placed Keele in the Top 20 institutions in the country, reaffirming our commitment to sustainability in everything that we do.

The judges scored universities using a set of criteria that investigates their environmental and ethical commitments and actions.

The criteria include environmental policy and strategy, using sustainable food sources, and waste and recycling policies at an institution, with Keele placing 18th overall in the table.

Professor Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost and the Institutional Lead for Sustainability said: "I’m delighted that we have been ranked in the top 20 of the People and Planet University Green League and been awarded first class for our performance.  

"The People and Planet University League is a very comprehensive table, which ranks universities on every aspect of their environmental and ethical sustainability performance.  To achieve this outcome as a large campus university with many old buildings is hugely satisfying, and shows the great success of our whole institution approach to sustainability, embedding it in all aspects of our operations."

Jonathan Porritt, Chancellor at Keele University and founder of Forum for the Future, said:

“There are still too many universities who do not give sustainability the attention or significance it deserves. Never has this information been more urgently needed or more valuable – especially from a student perspective.”