About Us

At UCC we believe that achieving a sustainable economy and society is our most important 21^st century challenge. We are Ireland’s leading university committed to creating a sustainable future through our practice, research and education programmes.

There is an unprecedented need for sustainability education in our workforce and society. Up to half of the EU’s population is considered to need upskilling for the green transition and three-quarters of companies believe their organisations lack the critical skills required to deliver the net zero transition. UCC has responded to this challenge with the establishment of the UCC Sustainability Academy which is Ireland’s first university sustainability training and education unit.

The UCC Sustainability Academy uses a unique model for sustainability education delivery by drawing on the expertise and research of over 500 UCC academics and researchers combined with a core team of sustainability trainers and industry practitioners. We pride ourselves on delivering educational content which is based on the cutting-edge research output of 400 research papers annually within the UCC Sustainability Institute. Our online and in-person programmes are practice-focused and learner-centric that engage and inspire.

UCC is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world and has demonstrated leadership in sustainability research, education and practice over the past three decades. It has been consistently ranked in the top 10 most sustainable universities in the world in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings (#2 in 2025).

Our Approach

1. Learning with purpose: we learn best when we understand why and how what we are learning is relevant to our work, our communities, and individual lives. Our programmes are designed around real sustainability challenges, helping participants develop knowledge and skills they can apply immediately in their professional and personal lives. The Sustainability Academy endeavours to co-produce our programmes with our participants as we learn best when we have shared ownership our learning and are involved in planning and evaluation.  
2. Learning together : our participants arrive with a wealth of professional expertise and lived experience. We see this experience as an essential part of the learning process rather than something separate from it. Some of the richest learning on our programmes happens through conversation. We create opportunities for participants from different sectors, professions, and backgrounds to share experiences, exchange ideas, and build valuable professional networks that continue beyond the classroom. 
3. Learning for action: we recognise that our learners already have a deep commitment to protecting the planet and enhancing societal outcomes and to make a difference. Our courses emphasise action encouraging learners to use new knowledge to solve problems, make decisions, and lead change within their own organisations and communities.  We seek to empower participants to become changemakers who can contribute to a more sustainable society. 
4. Learning holistically : sustainability challenges are interconnected and do not fit neatly into traditional disciplines. Our courses bring together insights from business, science, engineering, social sciences, public policy, and the humanities, enabling participants to understand complex issues from multiple perspectives. We help learners understand relationships, feedback loops, trade-offs, and unintended consequences. 
5. Learning reflectively : professional development is strengthened through reflection and critical thinking. We see this as a vital element of our programmes as sustainability challenges require us to question long-held assumptions about how organisations, economies, and societies operate Throughout our courses, participants are encouraged to reflect on their own practice, challenge their perspectives, and identify opportunities for a better world. 
6. Learning playfully : the complexity of sustainability challenges require us to approach them with imagination, creativity and curiosity. We believe in serious learning that is playfully delivered. We use games, design challenges, role-play, and other interactive methods to help participants explore ideas, test decisions recognising that positive emotions enhance creativity, collaboration, and long-term learning.