How Durham University turned itself green

Institution jumps 66 places on People and Planet's annual university sustainability league

• Most UK universities not on track to meet emissions targets'

Just two years ago, Durham was ranked 96 in People and Planet's university league. So bad was its score that it was rated third class". Since then, the Russell Group university has managed to improve its sustainability credentials dramatically, jumping to No 30 in this year's rankings of 154 institutions.

Simon Park, Durham's senior manager for energy and sustainability, attributed its success to initiatives such as the introduction of a formal environmental management system, ethical investment and sustainable food policies. The university also created a greenspace movement" - including an app where users gain points for logging positive activities which go towards vouchers and charity donations, and a festival - to encourage staff and students to contribute to sustainability.