Leicestershire’s universities are working together for a greener future

As the UK gears up for Big Green Week this June, Leicestershire’s universities - Loughborough University, University of Leicester and De Montfort University (DMU) - are proving that collaboration is key in tackling climate change.

The institutions joined forces in 2022 under the Universities Partnership, in a ground-breaking agreement designed to tackle local challenges, including climate change.

A cornerstone of their efforts is the Leicestershire Climate and Nature Pact, an ambitious commitment that unites universities, businesses and local councils in a shared mission to achieve net zero by 2045. By working together, the stakeholders are sharing energy-saving strategies and accelerating sustainable transformation across the region through a number of initiatives.

The GreenerFuture initiative builds on the Universities Partnership’s commitment to sustainability by focusing on environmental education and practical solutions for sustainable development.

Developed by the Leicestershire Collaborate to Accelerate Net Zero (LCAN), this £2.56 million project is funded by Innovate UK's Net Zero Living Programme. The focus of the project is to decarbonise and breakdown non-technical barriers to deliver net zero. GreenerFuture provides fully funded support for:

  • Businesses – Helping companies adopt sustainable practices, reduce emissions, and improve energy efficiency.
  • Residents and communities – Offering guidance on sustainability efforts at a local level, including energy-saving strategies.
  • Policymakers – Supporting local councils and decision-makers in implementing effective climate policies.

Paul Baines, Professor of Political Marketing at the University of Leicester and the Principal Investigator for the GreenerFuture Leicestershire project, commented: "Sustainability isn’t just a goal - it’s a necessity. GreenerFuture Leicestershire helps businesses strip out unnecessary energy costs, supports supply chain efficiency, improves company communication of sustainable offers and take advantage of new sustainable market segments. With our resources, every organisation can and should be taking decisive steps toward a greener future.”

The project, which runs until November 2025, has already engaged with over 500 businesses at events across the county and is working directly with 80 organisations.

The universities are delivering carbon literacy training, empowering students, staff, business and community members with the knowledge and skills to address carbon reduction

Through fully accredited, in-person carbon literacy training, individuals and organisations can gain practical insights into the carbon costs of their business activities and receive tools to implement change. Participants are awarded an official Carbon Literacy certificate, helping businesses demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and work toward Carbon Literate Organisation status.

Leicestershire’s universities are not just leading the charge on carbon reduction - they are also driving efforts to reverse biodiversity loss and protect the planet’s delicate ecosystems.

Recognising that climate action must go hand in hand with ecological restoration, all three universities have committed to a global Nature Positive goal through their membership in the Nature Positive Universities Alliance. This international movement unites academic institutions in a shared mission to repair environmental damage, restore wildlife habitats, and promote sustainable land management.

From implementing strategies to reduce their own ecological footprints to launching conservation initiatives, the universities are shaping a healthier, greener future that ensures nature thrives for generations to come.

The University of Leicester has implemented a Biodiversity Action Plan which is committed to protecting and enhancing local wildlife habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, and hedgerows.

De Montfort University has been recognised as one of the UK’s most wildlife-friendly universities. Their initiatives include student allotments, beehive projects, and habitat restoration efforts. De Montfort University is also part of the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Initiative.

Loughborough University has conducted a comprehensive biodiversity assessment across its 500+ acre campus to support its Nature Positive commitment. The campus is home to a diverse range of species, including badgers, hedgehogs, kestrels, bats, and muntjacs. The university also maintains an apiary with 6-10 colonies of honeybees to support declining bee populations.

To mark Big Green Week Leicestershire’s universities and local authorities are preparing a series of events, workshops, and discussions designed to inspire collaboration and drive climate action.

Including:

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