Sustainability at UCD
University College Dublin (UCD), as Ireland’s largest and most globally engaged university, plays a pivotal role in Ireland’s national response to the challenges of sustainability and is seen as a leader in both the European and global higher education contexts.
UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 49th globally and 1st in Ireland in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.
For more news and information on UCD's commitment to sustainability, please visit this page.
Sustainability Courses at UCD
Sustainability at UCD Global
UCD Global has led several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions among university staff, and to support students in becoming more sustainable.
These initiatives include:
- An Ethical Consumption and Sustainability Committee to drive sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives within UCD Global.
- A greater focus on digital brochures and material and a reduction in printed materials.
- Staff Travel project to reduce carbon emissions linked to necessary travel.
Sustainability Initiatives at UCD
You can find out more about further initiatives taking place across the university by clicking on the links below:
- Volunteering opportunities and Global Citizenship at UCDVO
- UCD Green Campus is organised by UCD Estates and works towards attaining a sustainable, healthy and living campus. There are many different initiatives they promote and support, including Green Week, Waste Reduction Initiatives, Biodiversity and Volunteering Opportunities.
- Student-led initiatives such as Eco-UCD, UCD Fair Fashion and UCD Horticulture Society.
UCD is committed to constantly improving sustainability on campus and throughout the university in general. UCD is also committed to working to further the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout its teaching and operations. In the 2021 Times Higher Education world rankings of how universities worked to achieve the SDGs, UCD was ranked number 22 in the world!
UCD Global is proud to actively work on sustainability initiatives and support international students in having a more eco-friendly student experience in a number of ways.
Watch the video to hear the UCD Global Ethical Consumption and Sustainability Committe's contribution to the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) European Summit.
My name is Ana. I’m from the United States, and I’m studying the BSc Sustainability programme. I chose to study this course at UCD because the programme sounded really exciting, and the campus is a great place to live!
Ana Neary, North America, BSc Sustainability
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