Environmental policy
1. Introduction
1.1 De Montfort University’s (DMU) aim is to continue to develop and manage the university’s estate in a way which provides a first-class teaching, learning and research environment whilst reducing the environmental impact of our activities and services.
1.2 The university is committed to continually improve our environmental performance through effective and appropriate environmental management practices. The university is committed to continually improve and enhance environmental performance through its environmental management system.
1.3 We are also committed to publicly promoting this policy and our performance in these areas.
2. Scope
2.1 This policy covers all operations of De Montfort University. The policy applies, but is not limited to, all staff, students, visitors, affiliated individuals and organisations, contractors and suppliers operating on behalf of De Montfort University.
3. Glossary
3.1 Sustainable development is an approach to growth and human development that aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development aims to balance the needs of the economy, environment, and society.
3.2 Sustainable procurement - is the practice of integrating environmental, social, and governance factors into procurement processes to achieve value for money while promoting sustainable development. It involves making purchasing decisions that not only consider cost and quality but also the long-term impact on society and the environment.
3.3 Sustainable construction refers to the use of renewable and recyclable materials in construction projects, with the goal of minimising energy consumption, waste production and the associated greenhouse gas emissions produced from the manufacture of the building materials. It aims to reduce the environmental impact of construction by considering the entire lifecycle of a building, from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction.
3.4 Education for sustainable development (ESD) empowers people with the knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and behaviours to live in a way that is good for the environment, economy, and society. It encourages people to make smart, responsible choices that help create a better future for everyone.
3.5 Carbon footprint a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community.
3.6 Greenhouse gases (GHG) are a category of gases that absorb heat energy emitted from the planet's surface and they remain in Earth's atmosphere for a long time (from decades to centuries). Though they make up only a small portion of the atmosphere, GHGs absorb a significant amount of heat energy and re-radiate some of it back toward the surface.
4. Responsibilities
Board of Governors
4.1 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
4.2 The University Leadership Team are responsible for:
4.2.1. Provide leadership for sustainability and championing these issues in day-to-day activities.
4.2.2. Receive and consider environmental performance reports and recommendations from the University Sustainability Committee.
4.2.3. Approve the environmental policy and provide the technical, financial and human resources required to implement and maintain environmental management.
University Sustainability Committee
4.3 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:
4.3.1. To consider and advise University Leadership Board as appropriate on the development and application of policies and strategies relating to sustainability and the SDGs.
4.3.2. To advise University Leadership Board as appropriate on the development of protocols and procedures relating to sustainability and the SDGs activities of the University.
4.3.3. To develop the communication of information concerning sustainability issues across the University and maintain dialogue with appropriate external bodies.
4.3.4. Monitor compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations.
4.3.5. To review, support and monitor sustainability activities across the university.
Senior managers
4.4 Ensure that all activities and operations under their control are conducted in accordance with relevant environmental 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
4.7 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:
4.7.1. Understand DMU’s Environmental Policy
4.7.2. Take responsibility for their own environmental impacts
4.7.3. Report environmental accidents and incidents
Suppliers/contractors and sub-contractors
4.8 The importance of following the commitments of this policy extend to suppliers and contractors working on the university’s behalf. These organisations will:
4.8.1. Understand DMU’s Environmental Policy
4.8.2. Demonstrate that they are meeting the requirements of the EMS and are working within the operational control procedures as set out within the EMS
4.8.3. Provide evidence and information to the university, if requested, that they are working within the parameters of the EMS’ operational control.
5. General principles/Policy statements
5.1 Take a strategic and operational approach to controlling, managing and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and in adapting to the impacts of climate change.
5.2 Embed education for sustainable development issues into our teaching, learning and research.
5.3 Ensure that all developments take into account sustainable construction principles and avoid the use of environmentally damaging substances, materials and processes.
5.4 Enhance DMU’s place in the community through proactively working with local, regional and national organisations to promote a better environment and encourage best practice principles.
5.5 Communicate environmental and sustainability principles to our staff and students to promote understanding of environmental and sustainability issues and encourage university wide participation in environmental activities, training and programmes.
5.6 To encourage university wide participation in environmental activities, environmental training and environmental programmes.
5.7 Encourage the use of recycled materials and implement recycling and waste minimisation initiatives.
5.8 Reduce the use of plastic and in particular single use plastic disposables on campus.
5.9 Encourage low carbon forms of transport through the implementation of our Travel Plan to reduce the university’s carbon footprint and support staff and student health and wellbeing.
5.10 Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions arising from our business travel activities and subsidised student study trips and encourage low carbon forms of travel in these areas.
5.11 Reduce our use of natural resources such as energy and water and reuse resources whenever possible to improve environmental performance and reduce the university’s carbon footprint.
5.12 Encourage sustainable procurement through our sustainable procurement strategy and practices, and engage with our suppliers to encourage sustainability in our supply chain.
5.13 Enhance biodiversity on our campus and incorporate biodiversity into our estate management practices to create new wildlife habitats and enhance existing habitats on campus where possible.
5.14 Incorporate environmental responsibility in all staff job descriptions.
5.15 Prevent pollution by reducing emissions and discharges and regularly review our practice against benchmarks.
5.16 Comply with all relevant environmental legislation, regulations and codes of practice.
5.17 Ensure that these policy commitments including the minimisation of waste and the reduced use of plastic extends to outsourced suppliers and the supply chain.
5.18 Work with our educational partners to encourage good environmental management practices in partnership campuses.
Consequences of Non-compliance [optional]
5.19 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 To ensure the effective implementation of this policy the university will set appropriate objectives and targets which will be reviewed on a regular basis.
6.2 The university will review this policy on a regular basis to ensure it remains appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impacts of our activities, products and services.
6.3 The university will publicly report our progress against these policy commitments on an annual basis.
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 environmental management practices and operations.
8. Sustainability
8.1 The Environmental 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
- British Standard for Environmental Management Systems (BS8555);
- Biodiversity Policy;
- Sustainable Food Policy;
- Energy Policy;
- Business Travel Policy;
- Investment Policy;
- Fairtrade Policy;
- Waste Policy;
- Carbon Plan;
- Travel Plan
10. Appendices
11. Document and version control information
Owner
Sustainability, Estates and Facilities
Author
Sustainability, Estates and Facilities
Approved by
University Sustainability Committee
Date policy created
20 June 2008
Date of approval of this version
26 March 2026
Next review date
26 March 2027
Version number
1.5
Applicable statutory, legal, or national best practice requirements
Control of Pollution Act 1974; Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; Environmental Protection Act 1990; Water Resources Act 1991; Water Industry Act 1991; Climate Change Act 2008; British Standard for Environmental Management (BS8555)
Equality impact assessment completion date
6 June 2025
Data protection impact assessment completion date
4 June 2025
Coverage
UK campuses