²ÝÁñÊÓƵ

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²ÝÁñÊÓƵ at COP 29

11 November - 22 November

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ will be holding a series of events to demand climate action and highlight issues as world leaders meet at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11-22 November.

The 11 days of events will start on Monday, 11 November, as the Vice-Chancellor Professor Katie Normington officially launches ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ @ COP 29.

Students and staff will get the chance to take direct action on the climate, put forward ideas to improve sustainability at the university and honour those at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ who have gone the extra mile at the prestigious Climate Awards.

 

  1. 29 for 29 Official launch of 11 days of action | Monday, 11 November

    On the opening day of COP 29, staff and students are invited to come up with 29 ideas to improve sustainability at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ in this Campus Collective event. One student and member of staff will win a £50 voucher for the ideas judged the best and the event will include workshops to evaluate ideas. Staff and students can submit ideas in advance to improve sustainability at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ and the best 29 for 29 will be investigate with a view to implementation.

    When and where: UN SDG hub, Heritage House 2.05, Monday, 11 November, noon-1.30pm

    To get involved: Email dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk with any sustainability ideas or for a ticket to the event. Put ’29 for 29’ in the subject field.

  2. Pizza for the Planet | Tuesday, 12 November

    Enjoy FREE pizza and learn all about sustainability and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and why ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ is a UN Global Hub for SDG 16. This fun event will be taking place as world leaders begin their talks at COP 29 and will look at developments.

    When and where: UN SDG hub, Heritage House 2.05, Tuesday, 12 November, 6-7.30pm

    To get involved: Email sustainability@dmu.ac.uk for a ticket and further information.

  3. Stop Plastics Getting into our Oceans| Wednesday, 13 November

    Students are urged to take direct action to stop plastics getting into our oceans by helping to clean-up the riverbanks around the River Soar in Leicester. More than 80 per cent of plastics in our seas and oceans comes from the land and via rivers killing and injuring our sea life. After the event, all those students taking part will be presented with Climate Champions certificates to mark their efforts.

    When and where: Abbey Park, Leicester (transport will be provided from ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ), 10am-1pm followed by presentation.

    To get involved: Email dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk to take part and put ‘Stop Plastics’ in the subject field.

  4. The Bikers' Breakfast | Wednesday, 13 November

    ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ has four times more cycling commuters than the average UK employer and all are invited to collect a free breakfast from the Sustainability Stand in the Food Village as a thank-you. Cycling plays an important part in reducing carbon emissions and ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ wants to encourage more students and staff to cycle to campus.

    When and where: The Food Village, Wednesday, 12 November, 8-11am.

    To get involved: Just turn up with bike helmet or other accessory at the Food Village.

  5. Countering Extremism and Building Trust | Wednesday, 13 November

    Countering Extremism and Building Trust: The Crucial Role of Civil Society is an event hosted by ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ as part of its role as the UN Global Hub for SDG 16. Partners of ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s Project Atefa will hear from an expert in the field before a panel discussion. Project Atefa is a ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ scheme aimed at changing the narrative around refugees and asylum seekers.

    When and where: UN SDG hub, Heritage House 2.05, Wednesday, 13 November, 1.30-4pm

    To get involved: Email dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk to take part and put ‘Countering Extremism’ in the subject field.

  6. The Blind Men and the Elephant: Introduction to Citizen Science | Wednesday, 13 November

    Citizen scientists are vital to understanding the impacts of climate and habitat change to humans and non-humans alike. But what is 'Citizen Science' and how can you get involved? This event is open to all students, staff, researchers and academics with an interest in the subject.

    Where and when: Kimberlin Library 0.07b, KL0.07b Teaching Room. Wednesday, 13 November, 2-3pm.

    How to get involved: Register for the event at

  7. Webinar: Inclusive transition to a decarbonised world | Thursday 14 November

    This webinar presents the challenge of the global climate highlighting some of the main drivers and then discusses the transformative change that is required to reach a more sustainable future in a decarbonised world. The talk then emphasizes the need for taking everyone along in this journey so that the objectives of leaving no one behind can be realised. The talk will be given by Prof. Subhes Bhattacharyya, Professor of Sustainable Energy Systems and Director of the Research and Innovation Institute for Sustainable Futures at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ.

    When and where: This session will take place online via MS Teams on Thursday 14 November, 8-9am.

    To get involved: Sign up via or contact gpu@dmu.ac.uk to receive the link.

  8. Climate Action Tea, Coffee and Chat | Thursday, 14 November

    This is a chance to catch up informally with staff at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ and others from across voluntary and community sector organisations in Leicester to share actions, inspirations and challenges on progressing with climate change actions or carbon literacy pledges and next steps to take together. Hot drinks and snacks provided, followed by light lunch from 12 to 12.30pm. Note that attendees may also wish to join the Climate Ambassadors introduction session from 12.30pm below.

    When and where: UN SDG hub, Heritage House 2.05, Thursday, 14 November, 11.30am- 12pm or .

    To get involved: Email dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk to confirm attendance and put ‘Climate Action Chat’ in the subject field. All refreshments will be vegan but please advise of any other specific dietary needs or any accessibility needs.

  9. Become a Climate Ambassador | Thursday, 14 November

    Staff, students and community members are invited to learn about becoming a ‘, part of a UK-wide network who care about sustainability and helping local schools and nurseries to act on climate change. There is a short talk on what’s involved from Matilda Crane, East Midlands lead for the Climate Ambassadors programme, plus information on how ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ staff can use some of the two days of permitted time for volunteering to contribute as Ambassadors. We’ll also signpost upcoming Carbon Literacy Training sessions so you feel confident to help others on climate action.

    When and where: UN SDG hub, Heritage House 2.05, Thursday, 14 November, 12.30- 1.30pm.

    To get involved: Email dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk to confirm attendance and put ‘Climate Ambassador’ in the subject field or email areeves@dmu.ac.uk if you are interested in the scheme but cannot attend the event.

  10. Get Involved Project Showcase | Tuesday, 19 November

    Students can come along and find out how to get involved in direct action on climate action through volunteering on ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ projects, or just find out more about sustainability and how they can help the planet. The event will be styled on COP 29 in Baku with various ‘pavilions’ from organisations representing ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ volunteering on a series of projects.

    When and where: UN SDG hub, Heritage House 2.05, Tuesday, 19 November, 5-6.30pm

    To get involved: Email dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk to take part and put ‘Project Showcase’ in the subject field.

  11. Train the Trainer - Making an Impact | Tuesday, 19 November

    This Education for Sustainable Development project will train students to train others in the skills to make a social impact. The session will be led by the experienced John Coster and equip students with new skills.

    When and where: UN SDG hub, Heritage House 2.05, Tuesday, 19 November, timing to be confirmed.

    To get involved: Email dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk to take part and put ‘Train the Trainer’ in the subject field.

  12. Webinar: Fatbergs and AI: A Digital Sustainable Way Forward | Wednesday 20 November

    This webinar will discuss Fatbergs, a growing and a costly problem in many developed countries. But what are they? Why are they a problem? Why do they happen? Can we avoid them? What has AI got to do with fatbergs? The session will be delivered jointly between Professor Raffaella Villa, Professor of Environmental Bioengineering and Associate Dean of Research and Innovation and Dr Hossein Malekmohamadi, Senior Lecturer in Computer Vision at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ.

    When and where: This session will take place online via MS Teams on Wednesday 20 November, 8.30–09.30am.

    To get involved: Sign up via or contact gpu@dmu.ac.uk to receive the link.

  13. Talking the Walk - climate event for staff | Wednesday, 20 November

    This interactive session co-presented with ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s Education Academy introduces a bespoke keyword search tool, which has been used to analyse summary information about all ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ modules and programmes for inclusion of keywords related to sustainability. This includes core concepts, topic-areas, pedagogic approaches and intended learner competencies. Pedagogic and competency-related terms align strongly with ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ's Graduate Attributes framework, and the keyword tool can also be tailored to search for other desired terms. The session will share results of applying the tool to specific courses and give participants the chance to try this in small groups.

    When and where: Eric Wood 2.03, Wednesday, 20 November, 1-2pm or .

    To get involved: Sign up through ²ÝÁñÊÓƵHub (MyDevelopment) or email dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk to take part and put ‘Talking the Walk’ in the subject field.

  14. Webinar: Sustainable Practices – What can you do | Thursday 21 November

    This webinar will delve into the critical issue of sustainable practices, exploring innovative solutions to address pressing challenges. The session will be delivered by Prof Ir EurIng Ts Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer for Asia Pacific University (APU) in Malaysia. Prof Vinesh’s current area of focus is to engineer emerging tech solutions addressing various societal issues. Prof Vinesh has 26 years of experience in engineering education/academics, ICT, operations & maintenance, facility management and design. He has managed deliveries of international projects in more than 15 countries. He has been part of various working committees in Ministries in Malaysia addressing Climate Change, AI and Data Science.

    When and where: This session will take place online via MS Teams on Thursday 21 November, 9-10am.

    To get involved: Sign up via or contact gpu@dmu.ac.uk to receive the link.

  15. People, Planet, Pint - Sustainability in the Built Environment | Thursday, 21 November

    A panel including industry professionals, an academic, and a ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ student will debate the latest innovations in sustainability and architecture and answer questions in this event organised by the People, Planet, Pint organisation, the Royal Institute for British Architects and ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ. ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ students on the Sustainable Architecture masters course will also be exhibiting their work.

    When and where: UN SDG hub, Heritage House 2.05, Thursday, 21 November, 5.30-8pm.

    To get involved: Get your free tickets at  or email megan.rome@dmu.ac.uk to take part and put ‘People, Planet, Pint’ in the subject field.

  16. Five Ways to Make Climate Literacy Part of Your ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Course | Thursday, 21 November

    This interactive Campus Collective session led by Andrew Reeves will highlight five ways to make climate action part of your ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ taught course, drawing on experiences across the university and signposting relevant resources. This could range in scale from an activity within a session, a mini-project, running carbon literacy training or considering how the course could be redesigned to better engage with sustainability and climate change.

    When and where: UN SDG hub, Heritage House 2.05, Thursday, 21 November, 12-1pm or .

    To get involved: Email dmusdg16@dmu.ac.uk to take part and put ‘Five Ways’ in the subject field.

  17. ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Climate Awards | Friday, 22 November

    The final day of COP 29 in Baku and the finale to the programme of events at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ is the third annual Climate Awards, where staff and students are celebrated for going the extra mile for sustainability. The 13 awards will celebrate and recognise the efforts and commitment of staff and students across the university to sustainability, climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a bespoke awards ceremony in November. Full details are at

    When and where: UN SDG hub, Heritage House 2.05, Friday, 22 November, 5-7pm by invitation only.

    To get involved: Email dmusudg16@dmu.ac.uk to nominate someone and put ‘Climate Awards’ in the subject field.