New universities dominate the top positions in a new league table that ranks institutions according to their green credentials.
The universities of Plymouth, Worcester, and Nottingham Trent occupy the first three positions in this year's rankings from the student national campaign group People & Planet.
A total of 20 new universities out of 30 institutions have been awarded "First class honours" in the table that awards points for a range of green measures including environmental policy and the number of staff supporting it, ethical investments, carbon management, energy use, recycling, and upholding workers' rights.
Newcastle is the top ranking Russell Group university, in 13th place, followed by Leeds in 30th position, Exeter ranked 36th and Nottingham in 42nd place.
The rankings also award 23 institutions with a "Fail" for their relatively poor scores across the table's 13 measures.
Commenting on the University of Worcester's move up into 2nd place from 4th last year, Professor David Green, the University's Vice-Chancellor, said:
“The University’s students and staff have worked hard to promote energy efficiency, recycling, cut car journeys, shop locally, reduce carbon emissions and support Fair Trade.
“We combine practical initiatives, such as using solar power to heat hot water, together with a growing programme of courses in such important areas as river management.”
According to The Guardian, 69 institutions refused to provide data for this year's rankings.