York St John now the highest rated university in the region for sustainability
A record 91 place rise in the People & Planet sustainability and ethical performance rankings
Sustainability work right across York St John University is behind a record result in People & Planet’s University League 2025. This is the only comprehensive and independent league table of UK universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance.
York St John is proud to be in 31st place out of 147 institutions, with recognition for our work ranging from carbon reduction schemes to employment rights, ethical food to cutting ties with fossil fuels companies. The position puts York St John University higher in the table than other universities in Yorkshire and second in the wider Yorkshire and North East region.
Carbon reduction and greener campuses
Among the areas where York St John scored particularly highly was carbon reduction. Work has been underway for several years as we progress to an 80% reduction by 2030 and to be carbon neutral by 2050. Across most of our campus our energy efficiency levels are among the best in the world, owing to the standards to which we have refurbished our older buildings and designed our new developments.
We’re supporting biodiversity with specialist planting on campus, wildlife ponds and work to protect endangered species and pollinators. All our energy comes from sustainable, low carbon sources and this year we have begun installing dark sky friendly lighting.
Nick Coakley, Director of Estates Management at York St John University said:
“The excellent performance in the People & Planet league table is testament to the passionate, dedicated and creative ways that sustainability and social justice is supported at York St John.
“This year we made a concerted effort to improve visibility of some of the work that has been quietly underway for many years as we’ve transformed our campuses to be fit for a greener future. It’s brilliant to see this work reported and recognised.
“My thanks to all colleagues who’ve brought us to this point and continue to take our sustainability work even further.”
Sustainable connections on campus
One of the ways we boost sustainability at York St John is by connecting students and staff from different areas to work on shared goals. The multi award winning Living Lab facilitates student led environmental justice work, with the team currently focused on Climate Resilience.
2025 also saw the establishment of the Sustainability and Environment Community of practice. Led by Dr Tom Ratcliffe, the group is a network of staff and students integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into our curricula.
Dr Ratcliffe said:
“At York St John University, we have developed a strong community-based approach to sustainability and the environment. Sustainability is a priority for our students, many of whom recognise its importance in the teaching curriculum. Developing an understanding of the relationship between people and the environment, and recognising our shared responsibility for human impact, is essential to the future of our University community.”
Ethical careers and workers’ rights
The People & Planet table doesn’t just take green issues into consideration; it assesses universities on ‘ethical performance’. York St John’s sector leading work to support social justice was recognised too. The University is a Living Wage employer and has signed up to the Can’t Buy My Silence pledge, both contributing to a high score for Workers’ Rights.
Another key move this year was ending recruitment ties with the fossil fuel industry. We have committed to excluding oil, gas and mining companies from our careers and recruitment activities, ending recruitment pipelines into extractive industries.
Barrie Grey, Head of Student and Graduate Employability at York St John University said:
“We’ve chosen to end recruitment ties with oil, gas, and mining industries that drive the climate crisis, and to support ethical career pathways that align with our University values and the needs of our planet. Our role as a higher education institution goes beyond preparing students for any job, it’s about playing a part in shaping a just and sustainable future.”
Jessica Hollis, Environmental Management Officer said: “‘We’re thrilled that the gains we have made as a University have been recognised. Our work around ethical careers and sustainable food is sector leading and reflects York St John’s focus on social justice and sustainability. We’ve made great progress over recent years but there is still work to do as we continue to make strides and further enrich our curriculums.”
Read more about our work Sustainability and environment | York St John University