How to get involved

Student and Staff Engagement Strategy 2026 - 2029

The University plans to engage with staff and students on the following areas of sustainability:

Energy Efficiency

This will be done through regular communications in Derby Digest, hosting stands at relevant fairs and carrying out energy audits at our sites, feeding back results and recommended actions to staff. Energy management dashboards are also in the process of being developed at our Cavendish Building, with plans to roll these out to other main sites. Energy data is monitored on a monthly basis to track progress against our baseline data.

Waste and Recycling

Recycling surveys are carrier out at Freshers Fairs and during Go Green Week, to test student and staff knowledge. These surveys are used to educate staff and students, as well as collect data year on year of the level of their knowledge on what can and can't be recycled. Staff Sustainability Champions are asked to communicate recycling information out to colleagues each year. Recycling figures are monitored on a monthly basis against our baseline data.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity sessions that both staff and students can volunteer to join, run every 3 weeks during term time. These sessions are then promoted through Derby Digest and on social media. The number of attendees for sessions is recorded and monitored over time.

Education for Sustainable Development

Information on ESD is promoted through conferences, Derby Digest and the EDS network on Teams. As part of the Responsible Futures criteria, a curriculum audit is carried every 2 years to establish the number of courses that include sustainability. This is compared to our baseline year.

Engagement Plan for 2026-27

All new staff cover environmental awareness as part of the standard induction checklist. It is also included in the mandatory new starter training videos and a key part of the quarterly 'Welcome' events held for all new staff. Staff with any queries are welcome to email the environment team at environment@derby.ac.uk.

For new students, sustainability is included in the Welcome booklet and the virtual induction provided in September each year where they can find out more about how to get involved with sustainability projects, clubs and societies. This is also available during Freshers' Week where various environment and sustainability projects are promoted to help settle into university life.

Staff Sustainable Champion Scheme

We have launched a new sustainability initiative to encourage and reward sustainable behaviours amongst staff. We are looking to recruit sustainable champions from across the University.

What does the role of being a sustainability champion involve?

• Finding out more about what the University is doing to be more sustainable
• Communicating messages to colleagues to encourage sustainable behaviours in your team
• Attending workshops (in person or virtually) on sustainability topics e.g. energy efficiency, waste and recycling, sustainable transport
• Carrying out sustainability audits
• Completing tasks to win points for your team in our sustainable workbooks

We understand that not everyone will want to get involved in all aspects described above, and that’s fine! As a Sustainability Champion, you can get involved as much or as little as you like. There is also no limit to the number of Sustainability Champions in each team. In fact, the more people who sign up in your team/department, the easier it will be to make an impact.

As part of the Sustainability Champion Scheme, Sustainability Champions carry out staff-led audits of environmental sustainability each year, covering areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste and recycling.

If you have an interest in sustainability and would like to find out more about becoming a Sustainability Champion, please email environment@derby.ac.uk.

Go Green Week

Go Green Week took place between the 2-5 March 2026 this year and was a great success. For the third year running, the University collaborated with Derby College to run a series of events. These included a Sustainability Fair at our new Cavendish Building, with keynote speakers from local sustainability organisations; planting and craft activities at Buxton College and a litter pick along the Markeaton Brook.

Next year's Go Green Week will take place in March 2027 - watch this space!

On-campus allotment project

We have set up an allotment at our Kedleston Road site which can be used by both students and staff interested in growing vegetables! There are currently three raised beds, a compost bin and there will soon be a greenhouse. Contact environment@derby.ac.uk or Union of Students to find out how to get involved.

Carbon literacy training

The Business School run Carbon Literacy training sessions which are being rolled out to staff across the University. Find more information on the become more carbon literate page. If your team would be interested in receiving this training, please email environment@derby.ac.uk.

Cup Levy Fund

Funds raised from the disposable Cup Levy are used for student-led sustainability initiatives. These have included:

• £2000 for the creation of more wildflower areas on campus
• £300 for two wildlife cameras for the Hedgehog Friendly Campus group
• £300 towards the Union of Students' allotment project
• £2000 for reusable cups to be given out free to students
• £2000 donation to the Syria and Turkey Earthquake appeal
• £1000 towards the Union of Students' pollinator-friendly planting project

Any students with an idea for a sustainability project are encouraged to contact environment@derby.ac.uk to find out how to apply for these funds.