Biodiversity policy
1. Introduction
1.1 De Montfort University (DMU) recognises the importance of biodiversity conservation and understands the role it plays in promoting a sustainable future.
1.2 The University is committed to enhancing biodiversity across its campuses where possible.
1.3 DMU is committed to continually improve our environmental performance through effective and appropriate environmental management practices.
1.4 This policy outlines our commitments to biodiversity and nature conservation and sets out how these commitments will be implemented and managed.
2. Scope
2.1 This policy and related procedures is applicable to any member of DMU staff, students, external contractors and other relevant stakeholders.
2.2 This policy will apply to De Montfort University campuses located within the United Kingdom
3. Glossary
3.1 Biodiversity - the variety of life found in a place on Earth or, often, the total variety of life on Earth. A common measure of this variety, called species richness, is the count of species in an area.
3.2 Biodiversity net gain - refers to the requirement for developers to demonstrate that their proposed projects will result in a 10% increase in biodiversity compared to the existing state of the environment. This increase must be secured for at least 30 years and can be achieved through on-site habitat creation or off-site improvements.
3.3 Climate adaptation - climate adaptation means taking action to prepare for and adjust to the current and projected impacts of climate change such as extreme weather, flooding, heatwaves etc.
4. Responsibilities
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors is responsible for defining and upholding the overall character and mission of the university and the effective and efficient use of its resources. Their role in relation to this policy is to:
4.1.1. Provide leadership on sustainability issues and champion these issues in day-to-day activities.
4.1.2. Receive and consider appropriate management report on environmental performance.
University Leadership Board
4.1 The University Leadership Team are responsible for:
4.1.1. Providing leadership for sustainability and championing these issues in day-to-day activities.
4.1.2. Receive and consider biodiversity performance reports and recommendations from the University Sustainability Committee.
4.1.3. Approve the biodiversity policy and provide the technical, financial and human resources required to implement and maintain environmental management.
University Sustainability Committee
4.1 The University Sustainability Committee (USC) is comprised of faculty and departmental representatives, Estates & Facilities Directorate personnel, academic staff, union representatives and members of the students’ union. The USC meets every three months and is chaired by the university’s Pro Vice Chancellor (PVC) for Sustainability. The roles and responsibilities of USC are to:
4.1.1. To consider and advise University Leadership Board as appropriate on the development and application of policies and strategies relating to sustainability and the SDGs.
4.1.2. To advise University Leadership Board as appropriate on the development of protocols and procedures relating to sustainability and the SDGs activities of the University.
4.1.3. To develop the communication of information concerning sustainability issues across the University and maintain dialogue with appropriate external bodies.
4.1.4. Monitor compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations.
4.1.5. To review, support and monitor sustainability activities across the university.
Senior managers
4.2 Ensure that all activities and operations under their control are conducted in accordance with relevant environmental and biodiversity legislation.
Line managers
4.5 Ensure that day to day operations are conducted in line with this policy4.6 Implement the requirements of this policy
Employees and students
4.3 Environmental care and considerations are the responsibilities of all De Montfort University employees and students. Specifically it is the responsibility of staff and students to:
4.4 Understand DMU’s Biodiversity Policy.
4.5 Take responsibility for their own environmental impacts.
4.6 Report environmental accidents and incidents.
Suppliers/contractors and sub-contractors
4.7 The importance of following the commitments of this policy extend to suppliers and contractors working on the university’s behalf. These organisations will:
4.7.1. Understand DMU’s Biodiversity Policy.
4.7.2. Demonstrate that they are meeting the requirements of the Biodiversity Policy and are working within the operational control procedures as set out within the EMS.
4.7.3. Provide evidence and information to the university, if requested, that they are working within the parameters of the Biodiversity Policy.
5. General principles/Policy statements
5.1 The University will prioritise the conservation and restoration of native plant and animal species on its campuses.
5.2 As part of this Biodiversity Policy and its approach to climate adaptation, the University will encourage the use of native, drought resistant plant species in new developments and planting schemes on its campuses.
5.3 The University will integrate biodiversity considerations into the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of campus infrastructure projects, including buildings, roads, parking areas, and outdoor spaces.
5.4 The University will seek to create new habitats through campus development projects.
5.5 Where new developments and refurbishments provide opportunities for planting, plants from the RHS Plants for Pollinators list should be prioritised.
5.6 The University will seek to minimise impacts on biodiversity from grounds and landscaping work and provide enhancement where possible.
5.7 Encourage staff, student and local community participation in biodiversity activities through volunteering and educational events.
5.8 Identify suitable areas on campus for low levels of management to encourage biodiversity e.g. through wildflower areas and no mow areas.
5.9 The University and contractors working on its behalf will schedule works to minimise the impact on biodiversity i.e. hedge cutting outside of nesting season and no mow may.
5.10 Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation including relating to Biodiversity Net Gain and ensure compliance with the requirements of our environmental management system.
Consequences of Non-compliance [optional]
5.11 The consequences of non-compliance with this policy could include breach of environmental legislation leading to a substantial fine or imprisonment.
6. Monitoring and review
6.1 DMU will set up a Biodiversity Working Group, with representatives from across the University community, to lead the process of improving biodiversity across the University’s estate.
6.2 The University will develop and implement a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) to detail the actions that will be taken to enhance biodiversity on our campuses and to meet the commitments within this policy.
6.3 To ensure the effective implementation of this policy we will set appropriate objectives and targets which will be reviewed on a regular basis.
6.4 Undertake habitat and species surveys to ascertain and monitor progress in enhancing biodiversity on campus.
6.5 We will seek to access external funding to support biodiversity projects on our campuses.
6.6 We will also review this policy on a biennial basis to ensure it remains appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impacts of our activities, products and services.
6.7 We will make this policy publicly available and provide an annual update on progress in enhancing biodiversity on its campuses.
7. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
7.1 The university will ensure that this policy is implemented compassionately and sensitively, being mindful of equality considerations to ensure an inclusive approach to biodiversity practices and operations.
8. Sustainability
8.1 The Biodiversity Policy supports the university’s strategic objectives on sustainability and the sustainable development goals as set out within the Empowering University strategy.
9. Related policies and standards/documentation
9.1 Nature Positive Universities signatory
9.2 Hedgehog Friendly Campus
9.3 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
9.4 British Standard for Environmental Management Systems (BS8555) 2016
10. Appendices
Appendix A: x
11. Document and version control information
Owner
Head of Sustainability
Author
Head of Sustainability
Approved by
University Sustainability Committee
Date policy created
13 July 2017
Date of approval of this version
26 March 2026
Next review date
26 March 2028
Version number
4
Applicable statutory, legal, or national best practice requirements
Control of Pollution Act 1974; Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; Environmental Protection Act 1990; Town and Country Planning Act 1990; Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) Regulations 2012; British Standard for Environmental Management (BS8555) 2016; Nature Positive Universities; United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Equality impact assessment completion date
Data protection impact assessment completion date
Coverage
UK campuses