UCC is Ireland’s leading university committed to a sustainable future. Over a decade ago, together with our students, we set an ambitious path to building a better world. UCC has since become a global leader in sustainability best practice.
In 2022, UCC was the first University in Ireland to establish an Office for Sustainability and Climate Action. The Office has five staff, including a “Green Shoots Coordinator”, whose role is to support student engagement in sustainability and is the elected Green Campus Committee secretary for 24/25.
In 2023, the University’s Leadership Team established a subcommittee on Sustainability and Climate Action, which is chaired by the President. The Green Forum continues to sit three times per year and is chaired by the President and the Director of Buildings and Estates. UCC’s sustainability ambitions are detailed in UCC’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (2023- 2028) which supports UCC’s overall Strategic Plan (2023-2028). The latter commits the University to “Radically reform our practices and use of space and technology to meet our ambitious sustainability and climate action goals”.
Sustainability at UCC is “Student-Led, Research Informed and Practice Focused” and this whole institution approach has seen the University achieve almost 40 awards, ratings, and rankings for sustainability including Global Sustainability Institution of the Year at the International Green Gown Awards in 2023.
In 2024 An Taisce awarded UCC a fifth Green Flag, making UCC the first University in the world to achieve this accolade. UCC was also the first public sector body in Ireland to be certified to ISO 50001.
See our fill list of Awards, Rankings and Recognition in practicing sustainability.
reduction in carbon emissions
reduction in waste tonnage
cups saved from landfill