De Montfort University is a public research and teaching institution in Leicester, England, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across engineering, business, health, and creative disciplines.
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DMU has cut operational carbon 62% since 2005 via efficiency gains, but supply chain emissions are rising 40% above baseline. Energy remains almost entirely grid-powered with 1.7% renewable generation. Scope 3 trajectory and weak renewable procurement are the dominant weaknesses offsetting operational progress.
De Montfort University scores 55/100 (Making progress) on SINK's independent climate assessment, scored from public data only. Fees pay for the review, never the result. Last verified September 2026.
That places De Montfort University joint 50th of 847 companies scored, and joint 8th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Where De Montfort University sits among higher education / universities peers.
Among the 67 major higher education / universities brands we've scored, De Montfort University is tied =8th of 67, with 2 others.
Its three lowest-scoring questions, and what the evidence didn't show.
The full reasoning is in the ten questions below.
No supplier engagement programme or third-party verification.
No TNFD disclosure, no quantified biodiversity outcomes, no supply chain nature risk assessment identified.
A score changes when the evidence does. We use new published evidence at the next rescore. Evidence that isn't public can count through an evidence review.
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Get in touch →Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint — Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Energy Source and Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain (3/10, 5/10).
The 3 companies in the sector scoring nearest above De Montfort University.
RGU has delivered a 50.9% absolute emissions reduction since 2005 and exceptional waste performance (98.4% recycling), but renewable energy procurement remains negligible at 0%.
See the breakdown →Swansea University reports 45% absolute emissions cuts and third-party verified waste certification, but relies on grid electricity (0% green tariff), lacks SBTi validation, and reversed its fossil fuel careers fair exclusion in 2026—a specific credible retreat from prior climate commitments.
See the breakdown →York St John has cut Scope 1+2 emissions 67.5% since 2005 and publishes statutory data via HESA.
See the breakdown →The formula and all 13 sources.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale13 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
Limited data coverage. This assessment is based on 13 sources, 85% of which are self-reported by the company. Scores may change as independent evidence becomes available.
“Total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions 5016.5 tCO2e, 2023/24, UKPRN 10001883”
“scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions reduced by 62% compared to 2005/2006”
“annual report provides an opportunity for staff, students and other stakeholders to assess our sustainability performance”
“solar PV systems generated 216,990 kWh of electricity, which equated to 1.7% of our overall electricity consumption”
“The University will prioritise the conservation and restoration of native plant and animal species on its campuses.”
“Enhance biodiversity on our campus and incorporate biodiversity into our estate management practices”
“selected Wastecycle to help make the institution's waste management processes as cost-effective as possible, while also fully maximising the opportunity to segregate and divert waste from landfill”
“tackling single-use plastic through the 'Choose to Reuse' campaign and through the installation of a large number of water fountains”
“Our targets cover the breath of sustainability issues including waste, green travel, engagement and carbon emissions”
“The SBTi's Target Dashboard lists companies and financial institutions that have set science-based targets”
“the board continued to receive high-level updates on the university's progress towards meeting the targets set in the strategy”
“Simon is responsible for the university's activity and strategy related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”
“Divest from any investment in fossil fuel extraction by 2023”
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De Montfort University is a public research and teaching institution in Leicester, England, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across engineering, business, health, and creative disciplines. It serves students and operates a substantial city-centre campus estate.
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