De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is one of the most environmentally-friendly universities in the UK after being ranked 13th out of 154 institutions for sustainability.
The People & Planet’s University League is the only comprehensive independent league table to rank universities according to their environmental and ethical work.
Universities were judged against 13 categories covering everything from education and environmental policy to recycling waste and reducing our carbon footprints.
They were then ranked according to their scores and classified using degree-style awards.
This is the sixth year running that DMU has been presented with a First Class award.
RELATED NEWS
More than one in eight DMU staff cycle to work
DMU awarded Gold in Government's new teaching standard
Come and see our amazing campus - sign up for an Open Day
Karl Letten, Environmental & Sustainability Officer said “I am absolutely delighted for DMU to be placed 13th in the UK .
“Our position in the rankings is a reflection of the comprehensive approach the university takes to addressing sustainability through the management of its campus and through the courses and extra-curricular activities we offer students.
“This is an achievement that everybody should be proud of as we can only enjoy successes like this by getting students, staff and academics to work and learn together about helping to improve the environment.
“But we must not rest on our laurels. There are always areas we can improve on. Environmental challenges such as carbon management, recycling and waste reduction are not going away and so we need to continue to be mindful about the way we live and work and the effect it can have on each other and our surroundings.”
The criteria that DMU was judged on included:
- Environmental policy
- Auditing and environmental management
- Carbon management
- Workers’ Rights
- Sustainable Food
- Engagement
- Education
- Energy sources
- Waste and recycling
- Carbon reduction
- Water reduction
Examples of DMU’s work in these areas includes the fitting of solar panels on the roofs of campus buildings, recycling of campus waste, the construction of rain gardens in Mill Lane, a cycling policy that offers free shower facilities, easy bike parking and a bike lock and bike lights loan system, and DMU gardeners providing herbs and other homegrown foods for use in DMU menus.
Posted on Monday 27 November 2017