De Montfort University has established Net Zero as one of its five strategic research themes, focusing on decarbonization and low-carbon transitions. The Net Zero theme supports research projects in areas like sustainable ground-source heating/cooling systems, air sanitizing and heating units, reducing car use in Leicester through alternative transportation, and analyzing the carbon footprint of Leicester's manufacturing sector. It also aims to develop partnerships through initiatives like an international upcycling research network and carbon literacy training for the local community. The university's ambition is to become a focal point for Net Zero research and innovation in the midlands region.

1. Net Zero @ DMU
Professor Raffaella Villa
ADR Faculty of Computer, Engineering and Media
Net Zero Theme co-Director

2. De Montfort University is entering a new era with a strategic plan which focuses
on empowerment and five strategic key research themes, one of which focused
on the Net Zero agenda.
Research
Themes
Lifelong
Wellbeing
Living in a
Digital
Society
Creative
and
Heritage
Industries
Peace,
Equality
and Social
Justice
Net Zero

3. NZ for low carbon transitions
• Decarbonisation and low carbon systems and infrastructure
• Low carbon transitions in the developing world
• Just transition, socio-economic impacts and
alignment of climate actions with the SDGs
NZ to develop new opportunities and partnerships
• NZ for local communities and businesses
• Creative engagement and innovation to net zero
Net Zero @ DMU
NET ZERO
Measures
and
technologies
to lower
emissions
Measures
and
technologies
to remove
emissions

4. Low carbon transitions
Sustainable, Flexible and Efficient Ground-source
heating and cooling systems – SaFEGround
Dr Andrew Right
SaFEGround will
investigate how heat
pumps can be
coupled with
underground civil
engineering
structures
(foundations, piles
etc.) to deliver low-
carbon heating and
cooling
Evaluation of a combi heating and air handling
unit suiting UK indoor environment
Dr Abhishek Tiwary
ENHANCE project will conceptualise and develop a
novel air warming and sanitising system,
combining complementary capacities in
UltraViolet-(UVC) technology, Air pollution control
and heating.

5. Net Zero for local communities and businesses
An exploration of the market-based
approach for addressing car use in
the city of Leicester. The aim is to
change travel behaviour, encourage
alternatives to the private car and
promote public transport use and
active travel through improved
infrastructure for walking and
cycling.
The carbon footprint of Leicester and Leicestershire’s
manufacturing sector
Dr Zheng Wang
Evaluation of the
contributory factors of the
carbon emissions of the
manufacturing sectors and
their carbon footprint along
the global supply chains in
Leicester/shire and the
United Kingdom.
Emission intensity
(1,000 tonnes/£mn GVA)
Year: 2017
(.92,1.45]
(.73,.92]
(.63,.73]
(.54,.63]
(.41,.54]
[.21,.41]
(a) Output
Emission intensity
(1,000 tonnes/£mn GVA)
Year: 2017
(.58,.67]
(.54,.58]
(.51,.54]
(.49,.51]
(.45,.49]
[.34,.45]
(b) Domestic input
Emission intensity
(1,000 tonnes/£mn GVA)
Year: 2017
(.65,1]
(.55,.65]
(.47,.55]
(.41,.47]
(.35,.41]
[.21,.35]
(c) Imported input
Source: author's calculation based on ONS.
Net zero transport with a focus on urban mobility in
Leicester
Professors Lucy Budd and Stephen Ison

6. Developing new opportunities and partnerships
International Upcycling
Research Network
Dr Kyungeun Sung
Aimed at developing upcycling
theory and practices across
industries, disciplines and
countries for scaling up global
upcycling with the ultimate
goal to reduce carbon
emissions by reducing
industrial energy consumption
(June 2022 - May 2024).
Through co-delivery with local
partner organisations, people
across the Leicester area are
learning about the causes of
climate change and adopting actions to make a difference.
The project aims to build capacity for climate action for all
sectors in the local economy.
Carbon Literacy Training
Dr Andrew Reeves
https://carbonliteracy.com/

7. Our ambition
Become one of the focal point for Net Zero in the midlands and the UK
Develop new opportunities and partnerships
Focus and support a research team at DMU committed to the Net Zero agenda
Create an identity of social innovation at DMU

8. How to contact us:
Netzero@dmu.ac.uk
raffaella.villa@dmu.ac.uk
mark.charlton@dmu.ac.uk