De Montfort University sustainability score: 55/100
Better than 86% of Higher Education / Universities
Leading practice starts at 60. The highest score on SINK is 71.
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.
Head office GBStaff 2,465 FTE (HESA EMR 2023/24)Revenue £261M (HESA EMR 2023/24)Website ↗
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. Scores are free. Nobody can pay to change a score, speed it up or hide it. Last verified September 2026.
That places De Montfort University joint 56th of 1,023 companies scored, and joint 8th of 67 in Higher Education / Universities.
Limited evidence. This score rests on 13 sources, 85% of them published by the company itself. Every source cited here passed the same quality checks as any other score: all live, none from data aggregators. There is simply less of it.
What is De Montfort University doing well, and where does it fall short?
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).
Where De Montfort University lost points
For each question that lost points, the evidence our public rubric looks for that we didn't find.
What would raise this score
- How clean its energy isMove to a renewable energy tariff or make a major efficiency investment.
- Emissions from its supply chainMeasure most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions.
- Its effect on natureMeasure its effect on nature and have it independently verified.
Every question that lost points
- Emissions from its own operations7/10Its own emissions aren't independently verified or tracked over several years.
- Emissions from its supply chain5/10Most of its supply-chain (Scope 3) emissions aren't measured.
- Whether its emissions are falling6/10No consistent fall over several years across its operations and supply chain.
- How clean its energy is3/10No renewable energy tariff or major efficiency investment shown.
- Its effect on nature5/10Its effect on nature isn't measured or independently verified.
- How it uses materials and handles waste7/10No verified figures for reuse and recycling across the business.
- Its effect on water6/10No water stewardship programme or verified fall in water use.
- Its climate targets5/10Its targets aren't science-based or committed to the Science Based Targets initiative.
- How openly it reports7/10No mission-locked structure, such as B Corp certification.
A score changes when the evidence does. We use new published evidence at the next rescore. Anyone can send us new evidence, free. How to send it.
How is De Montfort University's SINK score calculated?
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleWhat evidence is De Montfort University's score based on?
13 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which of the ten questions it informed.
85% of them were published by De Montfort University itself; the rest come from independent sources.
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”
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Is this your company? Claim this profile (free)
Use this score in tenders
Send the link, or the one-page score sheet. It links back to this page and every source. Free.
Open the score sheet →Send new evidence, free
Scored low because little is published? Publish what you do and send us the link, free. If it holds up, your score changes, and the change is logged on your page.
How to send evidence →Put your score on your website, free
It shows the current band, sector rank and score, and links to this page, so it changes when the score does.
Track this score
Bidding for a public contract? Check if you need a Carbon Reduction Plan, free →
Want your own page like this?
Free, independent, every source shown. Send it to any buyer who asks about your sustainability.
How does De Montfort University compare with other higher education / universities companies?
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.
Who scores higher in Higher Education / Universities?
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 →Which companies moved this week, and why.
One email, every Sunday. Score changes, new research, the stories behind the numbers. Free.
We'll send one email to confirm. No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
Checking a company?
Search free →Asked to prove you're sustainable?
Get your business scored, free →Been scored?
Find your page and claim it, free →Scores are free. Nobody can pay to change a score, speed it up or hide it.