Royal College of Music ranked no 1 in the 2023/24 People & Planet University League table

Thursday 14 December 2023

For the second consecutive year, the Royal College of Music has achieved first place for universities with fewer than 5000 students in the People & Planet University League table.

The People & Planet University League table is a comprehensive and independent league table of UK universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance. It is published annually and assesses higher education establishments based on carbon emissions performance, resource usage, staff engagement and policy documentation. 

Aida Berhamovic, RCM Director of Estates, commented: ‘I am delighted that the RCM has been awarded first place for the second consecutive year. We are incredibly proud of this result which reflects an ongoing commitment to environmental and social sustainability, and the work of all staff, students and members of our wider community who continue to support sustainability initiatives at the RCM.’

Areas where the College particularly excelled include carbon management, reflecting the RCM’s accomplishment of exceeding the higher education sector emission reduction targets set in 2005 and the long-term strategy to decarbonise the estate and reach net zero by 2035. Over the past year, carbon management projects have included upgrading the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall lighting to LED fixtures, and the installation of proximity sensors to control lighting automatically, both resulting in significantly reduced energy consumption.

Student and staff engagement was also highly praised with points scored for the engagement strategy, Green Week activities and the positive student representation on committees that oversee sustainability.  Engagement activities have included Lunch & Learn sessions offering tips and guidance on minimising waste, bicycle maintenance sessions encouraging sustainable travel, and an initiative led by the Students' Union to inspire cooking using sustainably sourced produce.

View the full People & Planet University league table.

This news item appears in the 2024 Spring edition of Upbeat magazine.

Read the latest edition of Upbeat