De 天美传媒 University is a global academic hub for the Sustainable Development Goals, which form a key cross-cutting theme of its The Empowerment University strategic plan.
Our 2024 report on all 17 SDGs will show what work the university has been doing through research and engagement in helping to meet those targets and raising awareness of the progress towards the 2030 aims.
Our reports start with the United Nations’ verdict on progress from their 2024 report on SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.
UN PROGRESS REPORT ON SDG 12 in 2024
The picture on progress in meeting targets on SDG is mixed with 40% of the targets set to be achieved, however, progress has stagnated in a further 40% and actually regressed on the 2015 figures in the remaining 20%.
The UN report for 2024 states: “Countries have made strides in meeting obligations under international environmental agreements on hazardous waste and other chemicals and implementing comprehensive approaches to combat environmental degradation. Patterns of unsustainable consumption and production persist, however. In 2022, global food waste reached 1.05 billion metric tons, yet only nine of 193 countries included food waste in their nationally determined contributions on climate change actions”.
DMU NEWS ON SDG 12 in 2024
DMU unveils textiles innovation at UK's largest sustainability showcase
Researchers and academics from Textile Engineering and Materials Research Group (TEAM) of De 天美传媒 University Leicester (DMU) were part of the Expo’s innovation zone, featuring collaborations which could pave the way for alternative materials and solutions that could reduce the environmental impact of textile production and support the textile industry transition to circularity.
At the Future Fabrics Expo, the successful research collaboration between DMU and Loughborough University led by Professor Jinsong Shen showcased innovations using laser technology to apply dyes directly to textile fabrics requiring far less energy, water and chemicals than conventional methods, and biotechnology using enzymes to dye textiles without using traditional premanufactured dyes as an alternative to conventional dyeing methods saving energy and reducing effluent waste.
Textile Design student to represent DMU on global stage
Run by the Society of Dyers and Colourists, the is renowned for giving undergraduate students a platform to showcase their talents globally.
As the UK finalist, Robyn will enter the global grand final in September, and the winner will receive a £1,000 prize and international media exposure.
Robyn has impressed the judges so far with the sustainable application of colour in her work. Her submission - The Trendless Trend - is inspired by timeless designs, and prioritises responsible consumption and production.
Enhancing sustainable product availability at De 天美传媒 Students Union
De 天美传媒 Students’ Union is committed to improving both the understanding and accessibility of sustainable products for students. In line with this commitment, in September 2024, DSU transitioned its entire clothing range to a new supplier providing garments made from recycled cotton.
Efforts were made to ensure these products remained affordably priced, allowing students to make sustainable purchasing choices without financial strain.
In collaboration with DMU’s Fashion BA programme, a project was developed to explore the role of sustainable products in a modern world.
Advancing sustainable consumption through research and community engagement
Research exploring the relationship between sustainable clothing consumption and consumer well-being, examining how eco-conscious practices can enhance happiness and life satisfaction.
This is the first issue to bridge psychology, consumer studies, environmental science, fashion design, management, and marketing, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on sustainable consumption and well-being.
Partnerships with researchers from the Global South, including Malaysia, have explored generational perspectives on sustainable clothing consumption, providing cultural insights to inform global sustainability initiatives.
Initiatives such as Stories of Our Wardrobe invite community members to share personal narratives behind their clothing, fostering emotional connections that encourage mindful consumption.
DMU RESEARCH ON SDG 12 in 2024
Enzyme-based textile coloration (Chetna Prajapati, Jinsong Shen et al)
Textile coloration is typically characterised as a resource intensive production process that requires the use of large amounts of water, high concentrations of processing chemicals, high temperatures and long processing times, commonly resulting in high energy consumption and effluent waste.
The research presented gives an overview of current studies that investigated the use of two specific oxidoreductase enzymes, laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) and peroxidase (EC1.11.1.7) to develop a one-step coloration process.
The research demonstrates the potential offered by laccase and peroxidase as transformative tools to replace conventional industrial coloration and surface pattern design processes with biological systems, which offer important advantages of simpler processing using milder conditions that eliminate additional chemical use and reduce energy consumption. The adoption of enzyme-based biotechnologies could help the textile coloration industry transition towards a sustainable future.
Catalysing Environmental Action: A governance framework for enhancing individual participation in Sub-Saharan Africa’s Plastic Circular Economy (Muyiwa Oyinlola et al)
Plastic waste poses a significant challenge to achieving sustainable production and consumption of resources, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where effective governance and waste management systems are lacking. In this paper, we develop an empirical understanding of the influence of public governance system on promoting circular economy (CE) for plastic actions among individuals.
We found that a governance system that supports CE practices and exhibits governance efficiency is positively associated with individuals’ actions supporting CE for plastic. The awareness of government policies, laws and regulations, institutions, processes, and programmes have a significant impact on individuals’ engagement in plastic circularity practices. The paper’s theoretical and governance implications highlight the relevance of public governance in shaping action towards a CE for plastic at the individual level.
Development of enzyme-based bioprocesses for recycling and reuse of wool blended fabrics to support the textiles industry transition to a circular system (Jinsong Shen et al)
Enzyme-based biotechnology has demonstrated its potential to provide innovative solutions to improve textile performance properties and reduce the negative impact of textile production on the environment.
In this current research, enzyme-based biotechnology processes were explored for recycling and reuse of wool/bast fibre blended fabrics from post-consumer and/or manufacturing waste streams. Individual fibre components were separated and recovered for re-processing back into yarns for fabric production.
The current research has also demonstrated the potential to extract and reuse dyes from waste textiles for textile coloration.
These research outcomes demonstrate potential opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of textile production and support the global textile industry transition to a circular system.
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production