Climate Action Awards launched at DMU

A new awards initiative to celebrate staff and students who are going the extra mile for sustainability at De Montfort University, Leicester (DMU) and beyond, has been launched.

The inaugural ‘Climate Action Awards’ will celebrate and recognise the sustainable efforts and commitment of staff and students across the university, with the opportunity to come together and celebrate all their hard work at a bespoke ceremony in December.

Staff and students are being encouraged to take part in the awards by submitting any work they have undertaken through; research, teaching and campus activity in the pursuit of acting to reduce global warming and improve sustainability.

Associate Director of Sustainable Development Goal Impact, Mark Charlton, said: “These awards are about recognising the efforts staff and students are making through their efforts and innovations.

“We have made the entry process as simple as possible to draw out as many examples as possible of good work being undertaken to take climate action, no matter how big or small.”

Entries are now open and will close on Friday 2 December. 

The categories open for entry are:

1.       Energy Champion

Research or innovations undertaken at DMU to reduce energy consumption or carbon emissions

2.       Climate Action Engagement Champion

Demonstrating how staff or students have connected their work with local businesses, organisations or community groups to promote climate action

3.       Healthcare Innovation Champion

Research or innovations undertaken at DMU to create a more sustainable healthcare system

4.       Enterprise for Climate Action

DMU student or graduate who has developed a business idea aimed at reducing climate impact

5.       Climate Action in Arts and Culture

Research in all arts, design, humanities and creative industries at DMU linked to or promoting climate action

6.       Climate Justice Champion

Research for climate justice, equality, decolonising, climate governance, law and human rights.

7.       Climate Action: Team of the Year

Award for a group or team who have led impactful research or a campus innovation to reduce climate change

8.       Climate Innovation (open category)

Any research, teaching or extra-curricular activity that demonstrates climate action

9.       Climate Action Hero (staff)

Individual staff member recognised by others as an outstanding climate action advocate

10.   Climate Action Hero (student)

Individual student recognised by others as an outstanding climate action advocate

All entries should be sent to dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk and include: name, faculty, award category and a short (200 word) description of the work undertaken by 5pm December 2, 2022. Supporting evidence such as, weblinks and photographs, can also be attached.

Entries will be judged by a representative group from De Montfort University’s United Nations Academic Impact Hub for SDG 16, the Sustainability Team and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) project.