Manchester Metropolitan tops sustainability league

Manchester Metropolitan has again been named as the "most sustainable university" in a UK league table.

It secured top spot for a record fourth time after investing in a project to decarbonise its heating.

The University of Salford ranked fifth in the table - compiled by student-run charity the People and Planet network - due to its efforts to reduce carbon production.

Jack Ruane, manager of the People and Planet university league, said 88% of students think their place of study "should actively incorporate and promote sustainable development, so universities need to meet this demand if they want to attract this generation of young people".

"In this way, investments in sustainability are crucial for the long-term health of universities."

The table ranks 147 UK universities against 14 criteria linked to sustainability and ethics.

Universities receive award classes that follow the typical degree grading system in UK higher education, namely 1st, 2:1, 2:2, 3rd and Fail.

Liverpool John Moores University, which ranked 15th overall, was awarded a 1st alongside Alongside Manchester Metropolitan and the University of Salford.

This year's biggest climbers included Edge Hill University in Liverpool, which jumped 56 places from number 120 to 64, moving from a 3rd to a 2:1 classification.

This was partly due to its decision to stop investing in fossil fuel companies.