SDSN Ireland Recognised as an SDG Champion

15 Dec 2025

The Sustainable Development Solutions Network Ireland (SDSN Ireland), the all-island coalition of universities and NGOs has been officially recognised as a 2025–2027 SDG Champion by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE).  SDSN Ireland was launched in February of 2023 and is co-hosted by University College Cork (UCC) and Queen’s University Belfast

The designation acknowledges SDSN Ireland’s leadership in advancing innovative, research-informed, and culturally integrated solutions to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Ireland. As part of the global SDSN association under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, the SDSN Ireland brings together 16 member institutions—including higher education bodies and civil society organisations to mobilise collective action toward a fairer, environmentally secure, and resilient future that leaves no one behind.

The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh formally announced SDG Champions appointments where he said:

The world faces huge challenges in achieving the SDGs, with only 18% of the goals currently on track globally. However, this year, as we mark the 70th anniversary of Ireland's membership of the United Nations, we are committed to achieving the vision and ambition of Agenda 2030, a roadmap for a fairer, safer, more prosperous, and sustainable world. In fulfilling the ambition of the SDGs, we have made considerable progress, but more is needed, and faster, from all stakeholders – locally, nationally and internationally.

Over 90 organisations applied to take part in the Programme this year, demonstrating the continued commitment of Irish society to help achieve and promote the SDGs. Partnerships play a crucial role, and it is great to have such a diverse range of organisations working collectively towards a better future for everyone. The SDG Champions Programme recognises that everyone has a role to play, and everyone can contribute to achieving the SDGs.

Accelerating Ireland’s Path to 2030

Being named an SDG Champion strengthens SDSN Ireland’s mandate to act as an impartial convener and trusted advisor to government departments, local authorities, and communities. The designation will support the expansion of SDSN Ireland’s work on policy localisation, SDG education, and arts-led climate engagement.

“This recognition affirms the power of collaboration across academic, civic and cultural sectors," said President John O’Halloran of University College Cork and Vice Chancellor Ian Greer of Queen’s University Belfast, SDSN Ireland Co-Chairs. “Our mission is to turn high-level global ambitions into tangible local progress—supporting innovation, deepening public participation, and strengthening the evidence base for decision-making on climate, justice, peace, and sustainable development.”

Driving Policy, Place-Based Action & Cross-Border Partnership

SDSN Ireland has played a key role in shaping Ireland’s SDG implementation through:

• Co-authorship of the Higher and Further Education chapter of Ireland’s 2023 Voluntary National Review
• Supporting the rollout of Voluntary Local Reviews in Ireland and creating high resolution geospatial tools to enable local authorities to track SDG progress
• Participation in OECD consultations on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development, strengthening SDG 16.6 and governance alignment
• Working co-creatively with Co-operation Ireland and the All-Island Local Authority Forum, bringing together local government, researchers, and cultural leaders to unlock shared solutions for climate resilience, sustainability and localised action

SDSN Ireland uniquely fosters all-island cooperation, bridging north–south institutions and civic stakeholders to accelerate SDG action, innovation, and just transition pathways.

Arts, Storytelling & New Climate Literacy

A hallmark of SDSN Ireland’s approach is its integration of the arts and humanities into sustainability and climate narratives. To realise this aim, SDSN Ireland has worked in partnerships with the Reach’25 Arts and Sustainability Festival at Queen’s University Belfast’s and the student focused Sustainability in the Arts Festival at South East Technological University.  The network is reshaping how climate science is communicated, especially among young people, marginalised groups, and community groups through emotional resonance, creative practice, and public dialogue.

“We believe climate solutions must be accessible, imaginative, and grounded in local experiences,” said Associate pro Vice Chancellor Michael Alcorn at Queen’s University Belfast.  “The arts provide a vital bridge between data and lived reality, helping communities engage, feel, and act.”

Expanding Champion-Level Impact

As part of its new SDG Champion role, SDSN Ireland will:

• Continue to work in partnership with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and other government departments especially during Ireland’s ascension to the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, from July to December 2026
• Launch new thematic group in areas of Net Zero Campuses, Engaged Universities, and Education for Sustainable Development
• Strengthen SDG communications through multistakeholder engagement, public campaigns, webinars, and success-story amplification across global SDSN platforms
• Expand Arts & Sustainability activities across the island with increased emphasis on communities and cross-board exchange

SDG Champions Programme

Established in 2019, the SDG Champions Programme was developed to raise public awareness of the SDGs and to demonstrate, through the examples provided by the SDG Champions, that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The role of an SDG Champion is to act as an advocate and promoter of the SDGs and as a good practice example of how an organisation can contribute to the SDGs and integrate the SDGs into their work and activities.

Strategic Objective 3 of Ireland's Second SDG National Implementation Plan 2022-2024 (NIP) is 'Greater partnerships for the Goals'; the SDG Champions Programme is a key mechanism towards achieving this. Action 35 and related measures of the NIP relate to the SDG Champions Programme and its relaunch last year.

The key message of the Champions Programme is that the SDGs are for everyone in society and that everyone can make a contribution to their success.

About SDSN Ireland

SDSN Ireland is the all-island network dedicated to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals by aligning research, culture, governance, and civil society action. Rooted in academic excellence and cultural innovation, the network translates global objectives into local pathways and shared solutions.

Website: www.sdsnireland.org
LinkedIn: @SDSNIreland

For more on this story contact:

john.barimo@ucc.ie