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Sustainability at UCCLeading in Sustainability

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Explore UCC
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Sustainability at UCC


"Sustainability is not just a priority for UCC, it is a responsibility that defines our values, shapes our actions, and connects us to our communities locally and globally"

- UCC President, Professor John O’ Halloran

Sustainability at UCC

Sustainability is deeply embedded in UCC, across the university’s Research, Practice and Study.   We are committed to a sustainable future for people, planet and university by driving the agenda towards net zero through our world leading research, demonstration of best practice on campus, and education of current and future leaders and decision makers. 

UCC Leading in Sustainability

UCC is a global leader in sustainability. We have a long track record in sustainability, stretching back over many decades. We take a "whole of university" approach to sustainability. Our national and international sustainability leadership covers three key areas:

  • sustainability research,
  • practicing sustainability and
  • teaching sustainability.
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research staff across 23 schools

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multidisciplinary PhDs

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industry collaborations including start-ups, SMEs and large enterprises

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collaborating countries across industry, academia and government

Sustainability Research Leadership

Our research focus is on scientific excellence and significant societal impact. We do this through our Sustainability Institute. 

  • Our academics rank 1st place for citations in Google Scholar in three specific areas of sustainability
  • We have great depth of research with 600 researchers working across 24 schools and four colleges in UCC
  • Significant impact in informing policy, supporting business and empowering society 

Sustainability Practice Leadership

UCC is a global leader in practicing sustainability. Our Office of Sustainability and Climate Action supports student-led and research-informed practice approach. 

  • 1st university in the world to be awarded a green flag and ISO 50001
  • 1st university outside of North America to be awarded STARS Gold
  • Top 10 in global university rankings for sustainability 

Sustainability Education Leadership

UCC launched the first Masters programme in Ireland in sustainable energy in 2005. Since then, the university has developed many courses and modules in sustainability. Our new UCC Sustainability Academy builds and delivers courses to train tomorrow's sustainability leaders.  

  • 1st Masters in Sustainable Energy in Ireland
  • Award winning university wide module in sustainability
  • New HCI sustainability programmes  

UCC Driving Sustainability

UCC's experts have been at the heart of influencing Ireland's sustainability policy with research-informed inputs and contributions to key governmental committees and white papers. Our people have also delivered important research projects and activities that deliver real-world difference 

Our Stories

Happening On 04/06/2025
30 May 2025

ENTYRE - Workshop

Mapping the Role of End-of-Life Tyres for a Sustainable Circular Economy in Ireland (ENTYRE) is a 12-month research project based in the Research Ireland MaREI Centre in University College Cork. This project is funded under the EPA Research Programme 2021-2030. 
Read on marei.ie
21 May 2025

Towards planet-proof computing: data centre sustainability at a crossroads

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union invites you to a roundtable discussion on the sustainability of data centres and the role of EU policy.
Read on marei.ie
13 May 2025

ERI researcher Breffní Lennon wins UNIC Best Paper Award 

Dr Breffní Lennon, Research Fellow at the Sustainability Institute (SI) and School of Engineering and Architecture (SOEA), is a winner of the UNIC Best Paper Award for his paper on sustainability and citizen energy communities, co-written with Dr Niall Dunphy, Senior Research Fellow in SOEA/SI.
Read on ucc.ie
Photo (L-R): Dr James Windle, Dr Carol Power, Dr Mara van Twuijver and Dr Irene Hartigan.
08 May 2025

UCC research to tackle national and global societal challenges

Supporting entrepreneurial activity in Cork City that delivers both a healthy food and a healthy natural environment, and improving addiction services for women based on past experiences are among the projects at University College Cork (UCC) awarded funding from Research Ireland under its New Foundations Programme.
Read on ucc.ie
Read our stories

Sustainability at UCC

Inbhuanaitheact i COC

  • Professor Brian O'Gallachóir, Associate Vice President for Sustainability and Climate Action
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