The University was awarded a First Class Honours by People & Planet, a student campaigning network, for its sustainability strategy and green credentials.

The league is the UK’s only comprehensive and independent ranking of universities by ethical and green criteria and is published by the Guardian.

Bill Rammell Vice Chancellor at the University said: “We are delighted with this award. It is great to see that the commitment we have put in to tackling sustainability here at the University of Bedfordshire has been recognised.

“We aim to lead by example embedding our commitment to sustainability in our policies, strategies and procedures. Our position of 11 out of 150 universities countrywide is one in which all our staff and students can take pride.”

The University has seen its league place rise dramatically over recent years. It started at 124^th back in 2009 rising to 14^th last year. Today’s announcement means the University is placed ahead of those institutions who often lead the way into environmental research.

While many universities have seen their environmental initiatives stall, Bedfordshire has continued to place sustainability high on its list of priorities.

Mr Rammell continued: “We work with all our stakeholders to reduce the University’s environmental impacts and promote sustainability thinking, education and practices for our current and future graduates, staff and communities.

“We also recognise our responsibility to ensure that our graduates have a sound understanding of the importance of sustainable development to enhance their role as global citizens and their future employability.”

Further information about the University of Bedfordshire’s sustainability strategy can be found at www.beds.ac.uk/sustainability