DMU at COP 29 launch event – tell us how to improve sustainability across campus and you could win £50!

DMU has a good record on sustainability and now we want to get even better, so we need your help.

Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Katie Normington, will officially open 11 days of activities at DMU to coincide with the COP 29 climate action talks between world leaders in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11-22 November.

We’ll be launching the series with a Campus Collectives event, 29 ideas for 29, on Monday 11 November. We’re inviting staff and students to come up with 29 ideas to improve sustainability across the campus. One student and member of staff will win a £50 voucher for the ideas judged the best.

Staff and students can email ideas in advance to dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk (please put ‘29 for 29’ in the subject line).

The event in the UN SDG hub (Heritage House 2.05) from midday–1.30pm will include workshops to assess the submissions and any new ones on the day.

To attend, you can also use the above email address to reserve a place, which includes a buffet lunch.

DMU’s Sustainability Manager Karl Letten said: “We welcome any ideas from staff and students on our energy, biodiversity, investment, travel, parking, carbon and sustainable food policies, and will investigate the best 29 for COP 29 with a view to implementing them, where possible. We don’t want huge submissions; we only need a few words.”

For background information, take a look at our Sustainability Strategy.

DMU is currently ranked seventh in the UK by the People & Planet student network and has featured a total of 32 times in the world Top 100 for the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2019.

Other events in the DMU at COP 29 series range from practical environmental action to educational sessions and networking opportunities. Highlights include:

• Pizza for the Planet (Tuesday 12 November) – Learn about UN Sustainable Development Goals while enjoying free pizza.
• Free Bikers' Breakfast (Wednesday 13 November) – Supporting DMU's cycling community.
• Stop Plastics Getting into our Oceans (Wednesday 13 November) – Students, help prevent ocean plastics by joining our River Soar clean-up session.
• Become a Climate Ambassador (Thursday 14 November) – For staff and students, join a UK-wide network helping schools act on climate change.
• People, Planet, Pint™ (Thursday 21 November) – An expert panel discusses sustainability in the built environment.
• DMU Climate Awards (Friday 22 November) – Celebrating staff and student achievements in sustainability.

For full details, go to the DMU at COP 29 webpage.