DMU Named Among UK’s Top Sustainable Universities

De Montfort University Recognised for Sustainability Leadership

De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, England, is a public institution recognised for its strong emphasis on employability, innovation, and inclusive education. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, maintains robust global partnerships, and contributes significantly to the UK’s higher education landscape through impactful research and community engagement.

Recently, DMU Leicester was reported to be enhancing its reputation as one of the UK’s most environmentally responsible universities by pursuing another Green Gown Award. These awards, administered by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), celebrate sustainability initiatives led by higher education institutions across the UK and Ireland. Considered a benchmark for environmental excellence, the Green Gown Awards recognise universities that demonstrate leadership in embedding sustainability into teaching, operations, and civic engagement. DMU was shortlisted among five organisations for the Sustainability Institution of the Year category, a recognition that reflects its continued efforts to integrate sustainability across its curriculum, campus operations, and international collaborations. Notably, other shortlisted institutions included leading Russell Group universities, underscoring DMU’s competitive standing in sustainability leadership.

Since 2018, DMU has worked closely with the United Nations to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During this period, the university established a Sustainability Committee, appointed a Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability, and served as the global Academic Impact Hub for SDG 16 before taking on SDG 11, which focuses on Sustainable Cities and Communities. While SDG 16 promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions, SDG 11 addresses urban resilience, clean energy, affordable housing, and water quality. As an Academic Impact Hub, DMU coordinates global academic efforts to advance these goals through research, teaching, and civic partnerships.

In this capacity, the university has led international teams tackling issues such as clean energy, housing, and water access. These efforts have included collaborative research with city councils, student-led sustainability audits, and cross-border initiatives with universities in Europe and Asia. Further demonstrating its commitment, DMU is set to open its new London campus in September, designed with sustainability “from concept to delivery.” The campus incorporates energy-efficient systems, low-carbon materials, and digital-first infrastructure. It will offer three UN-inspired Master’s programmes—MSc International Business and Sustainability Management, MBA Global with Responsible Leadership, and MSc Responsible Data Analytics, all tailored to align academic learning with global sustainability needs.

According to Dr Manjeet Ridon, Associate Dean International, the London campus will also provide bespoke carbon literacy training to enhance student employability. This training includes modules on climate science, sustainable business practices, and ethical leadership, and is designed to meet the needs of international learners and employers. At its Leicester campus, DMU has already delivered sustainability training to over 600 staff and students, including senior leadership and the Board of Governors. This training has also been extended to DMU’s international partners in Denmark, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan, enabling the university to share best practices in curriculum design, campus greening, and student engagement. DMU uses the Responsible Futures framework to embed sustainability into course content, assessment methods, and extracurricular activities.

As part of its green campus initiatives, DMU has achieved the gold standard in the Hedgehog-Friendly Campus programme, developed a wildflower meadow, and introduced a herb garden for teaching and research. These efforts support biodiversity and enhance learning environments. The university’s latest Sustainability Report showed a 62 per cent reduction in emissions compared to its 2005 baseline, achieved through building retrofits, renewable energy adoption, and promotion of low-carbon travel. Professor Simon Oldroyd, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability, described the Green Gown nomination as a testament to the collective efforts of staff across the university. He acknowledged the contributions of the sustainability team, SDG fellows, and faculty members in embedding sustainability throughout the curriculum and research. He also emphasised that DMU’s strategy is shaped by student feedback, community partnerships, and interdisciplinary research, ensuring its relevance to global challenges.

Observers noted that this nomination follows DMU’s recent success in sustainability-related awards. The university was highly commended in 2024 for building an anti-racist university, won in 2023 for the same category, and received recognition in both the Building Back Better and 2030 Climate Action categories in 2022. These accolades reflect DMU’s holistic approach to sustainability, which includes social justice, equity, and institutional reform. Its anti-racism work has involved curriculum audits, inclusive hiring, and student-led advocacy. Additionally, DMU was ranked second most environmentally friendly in the People and Planet University League, which assesses universities on carbon reduction, waste management, and ethical transparency. The winners of the 2025 environmental awards in education will be announced on 6 November at a ceremony in Birmingham, where the sustainability achievements of UK universities will be formally recognised.DMU’s continued leadership in sustainability highlights how universities can shape a greener, fairer future through education, innovation, and global collaboration.

Editor’s Note

De Montfort University’s latest recognition in the Green Gown Awards shortlist is more than just a nod to its environmental efforts; it’s a sign of how seriously the institution takes its role in shaping a sustainable future. At a time when universities are being called upon to lead by example, DMU has shown that sustainability is not just a side project but a core part of its teaching, research, and campus life. What stands out in this story is the university’s long-term commitment. From working with the United Nations on global development goals to training hundreds of staff and students in carbon literacy, DMU has built a strong foundation for change. The opening of the new London campus, with its eco-friendly design and sustainability-focused Master’s programmes, shows that this commitment is growing, not just in Leicester, but across borders. It’s also encouraging to see that DMU’s approach includes social justice and equity. Sustainability isn’t only about cutting emissions or planting wildflowers (though those matter too); it’s about creating fairer systems and stronger communities. DMU’s work on anti-racism, inclusive hiring, and student-led advocacy proves that environmental responsibility and social responsibility go hand in hand.

As per Skoobuzz, DMU’s example should inspire other universities to think bigger and act bolder. Sustainability must be built into every part of university life, from the curriculum to the canteen. Recognition like the Green Gown Awards helps shine a light on what’s possible when institutions take this seriously.