Last week, People and Planet revealed their 2021 University League Table, which ranks U.K. universities on sustainability (https://peopleandplanet.org/university-league)

The University of York came in at a sorry 93rd, scoring a pathetic 36.9%. This places us at 22nd out of 24 Russel Group universities. Worse still, the University scored 0% Environmental Policy & Strategy as well as Workers' Rights, and a poor 5% in Managing Carbon.

Still the University refuses to engage with and listen to student representatives on sustainability, while branding itself a "university for public good". 

We're asking Vice-Chancellor Charlie Jeffery to respect workers and the environment and rectify our standing in the P&P League Table by committing to the following:

1. Commit to screening out University investments in arms companies, companies in violation of international law and unethical banks, and reinvest funds sustainably.
2. Commit to becoming an accredited Living Wage employer.*
3. Commit to eradicating modern slavery in University supply chains by affiliating to Electronics Watch.
4. Commit to linear, year-on-year carbon emissions reduction targets on a 2005 baseline in a Carbon Management Plan with a dedicated budget. All emissions data and targets (past and present) should be made public on the University website.
5. Commit to expanding the University's Sustainability Plan to all key areas listed by People and Planet (emissions, biodiversity, waste management, travel and transport...).
6. Commit to reviewing the both Plans on a yearly basis in consultation with student Sustainability Officers. 

Had the University already taken these basic steps, the University would have ranked 27th in the League Table, not 93rd.

Other Universities have done it - so why can't we?

 

 

Pierrick Roger, YUSU Environment and Ethics Officer 2021/22

Charlotte Ingrey, Environment and Ethics Network Secretary 2021/22

Saskia Kirchschlager, Environment and Ethics Network Publicity Officer 2021/22

Naomi Thomas, Environment and Ethics Network Social Officer 2021/22

Yawen Xu, Environment and Ethics Network Social Officer 2021/22

Colombe Mabboux-Fort, Environment and Ethics Network Ordinary Member 2021/22

Katie Holmes, Alcuin Environment and Ethics Officer 2021/22

Katie Ritchie, Anne Lister Environment and Ethics Officer 2021/22

Millie O'Neil, Constantine Environment and Ethics Officer 2021/22

Connie Sands, Derwent Environment and Ethics Officer 2021/22

Ella Bassadone, Derwent Environment and Ethics Officer 2021/22

Lucy Hobday, Goodricke Environment and Ethics Officer 2021/22

Tayo Adeniyi, James Environment and Ethics Officer 2021/22

Jessica Halliwell, Langwith Environment and Ethics Officer 2021/22

 

Alcuin Committee

Meely Doherty - Alcuin Vice President for Wellbeing and Community

Charles Cross - Alcuin Men's Wellbeing Officer

Bex Barsby - Alcuin Ordinary Member

Emily Mason - Alcuin Volunteering Officer

Xin Yi Gan - Alcuin Marketing Officer

 

Anne Lister Committee

Harleen Dhillon - President

James Kewley - Treasurer

Amy Kaciniel - Vice President for Community and Wellbeing

Sophia Bolton - Vice President for Sport

Christiana Weir-Whilby - Sports Officer

Holly Burdon - Disability & Access Officer

Arfia Aasim - Events Officer

Chahat Kalra - International Officer

Katie Naughton - Communications Officer

Sam Mayhew - Sponsorship Officer

 

Vanbrugh Committee

Luke Horwitz - President

 

* UoY has notified us that it became an accredited Living Wage employer in November 2021, too late for the ranking which was already completed by then by People and Planet. We have kept this here as a matter of transparency as this commitment was included in the original petition. Other commitments included in this petition have not been made by UoY. (Edit: 6th Jan 2022)