De Montfort University, United Kingdom

Campus, City, Community – A holistic approach to carbon management

De Montfort University (DMU) takes a comprehensive approach to carbon management which embraces changes to the physical campus as well as embedding sustainability into teaching and learning and engaging with both staff and students to encourage behaviour change. The university has recently acknowledged the Climate Emergency and made a series of commitments to address its own carbon emissions and to support other to do the same.

The university has successfully implemented its first Carbon Management Plan which has seen carbon emission from scope 1 and 2 sources reduce by 49% based on its 2005 baseline year. This target was reached one year ahead of the 2020 timescale.

The new Carbon Plan is the first of a three phase approach to reduce emissions from scope 1 and 2 sources to net carbon zero by 2032.

As well as the physical changes to the campus which have been identified in the Carbon Plan the university is also engaging staff and students in climate action.

Top 3 Learnings

1. A consultation process can lead to long term relationships with other parts of the university.
2. Make use of the expertise and knowledge within the institution.
3. Be open and accountable about carbon performance.