De Montfort University

Public Sector • Leicester

De Montfort University have a number of environmental initiatives, including their Carbon Literacy training, which raise awareness of climate change and educate about climate action.

  • Zero Carbon Tour bus at De Montfort University.
  • Cyclist at De Montfort University.

De Montfort University's story

De Montfort University (DMU) is one of the greenest universities in Britain and has been consistently rated as First Class by the People and Planet student campaigning network.

One of the main ways that DMU is cutting carbon is by supporting, learning and training within the institution and within the community. They partner with organisations to deliver carbon literacy training, which aims to get people thinking about what they need to do to improve their carbon footprint. Their carbon literacy training is offered to students and staff to raise awareness of the impact of rising carbon dioxide levels, in order to empower people to take action as an individual and as an organisation.

DMU have also trained student volunteers to educate schools across Leicester about climate action. Evidence has shown that those taking the carbon literacy workshops reduce their carbon footprint by 5 to 15% afterwards.

DMU also have many other environmental initiatives:
- Using wood pellet boilers which are carbon-neutral.
- Fitting the leisure centre with air-source heat pumps.
- Using photovoltaic panels on DMU buildings to generate electricity.
- Using ground heat pumps in some buildings which draw heat from the earth.
- Travel policies which see 4 times the national average of staff cycling to work.
- Solar panels all across campus.
- Embedding sustainability into all teaching and learning.
- Giving away more than 21,000 free reusable mugs to staff and students.
- Gaining Carbon Literate Organisation status for the University.
- Growing food on campus for use in the DMU catering outlets.
- Award-winning catering offering a low-carbon diet.
- Fitting the leisure centre with air-source heat pumps.
- Embedding sustainability into all teaching and learning.

Useful learnings from De Montfort University

For universities looking to make a start on this, get a strategy together of what you want to achieve and make a big commitment to the process.

De Montfort University's metrics

Community engagement.

Feeling inspired? Discover more about this story...

Location

Leicester

Response to climate crisis

Mitigation & Adaptation

Reach

Town

Organisation

Public Sector, 250 to 10,000 people

Shared by

Midlands Net Zero Hub

Updated Feb, 2024

Recommended for you

  • Sea Lanes Brighton
    Brighton and Hove

    Sea Lanes Brighton

    Reviving open water swimming through a new, environmentally sustainable public lido.

    Buildings & Places
  • Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon
    Wiltshire

    Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon

    Working in association with local organisations to become carbon neutral by 2030.

    Buildings & Places
  • Earth Cubs
    UK

    Earth Cubs

    Educating young children about climate, sustainability and the environment.

    Buildings & Places
  • Hay Community Assemblies
    Powys

    Hay Community Assemblies

    Running community assemblies to make better decisions that serve the needs of all.

    Buildings & Places