University of Galway Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. As a core value of the University, we learn, live and lead on sustainability. We are an ambassador for the Sustainable Development Goals and we cherish our natural environment on campus. Join us on our sustainability journey today!

Annual Report 23/24

We were very proud to hold the designation of National SDG Champion, appointed by the Government of Ireland, for the Academic Year 2023-2024. We used this role to great effect, promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and leading by example.

This report details our teaching, research, outreach and engagement activities on each of the 17 SDGs. The report also provides key performance indicators on each of our six strategic themes: Research & Learning, Energy & GHGs, Nature & Ecosystems, Built Environment, Health & Wellbeing and Governance & Leadership.

READ THE REPORT

Number 1 in Ireland for Sustainability

We have been named the number one university in Ireland and top 50 in the world for sustainable development for the third year in a row. The accolade has been awarded by Times Higher Education Impact rankings in recognition of the University’s progress in responding to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The University is also very proud to have the most biodiverse campus in Ireland, the Green Campus flag, a STARS Gold Rating, Excellence in Sustainability Award, and to be the first university in Ireland to be an SDG Ambassador.

OUR AWARDS

Getting involved

There are many ways to get involved in our sustainability journey. You can learn about sustainability through your course or by reading our web resources. You could join a sustainability society, volunteer with the Students’ Union or participate in our Community University Sustainability Partnership. You can live more sustainably at home and on campus using our Student Sustainability Toolkit.

Sustainability is an opportunity to solve the urgent environmental, economic and social problems facing the world today, and the greater the diversity of voices on campus working to be more sustainable, the more effective we will be. Find out more.

Biodiversity Trail

University of Galway offers many opportunities to connect with nature, including our field research stations in the Burren (Carron & Finavarra) and Connemara (Carna). But did you know our main campus in Galway city is also home to a wealth of wildlife?

This campus trail is designed to guide you through our natural habitats, which are often also used for teaching and research. We hope you enjoy discovering what makes our riverside campus so special!

Take a walk on the wild side

Learning sustainability

We embed sustainability literacy into all aspects of teaching and learning, so that our entire campus community will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to become sustainability role models and leaders in their service to the outside world. We support our researchers to address some of the world’s greatest sustainability challenges, and most of our research is aligned to the SDGs.

We offer a wide range of sustainability programmes, from undergraduate to postgraduate, and dedicated sustainability modules, including Introduction to Sustainability and Green Labs. We also support the development of academic staff to further embed sustainability in the curriculum. Find out more.

Living sustainability

Our vision is a sustainable campus that provides a high quality experience for all who study, work, live, play and visit. We live the principles of sustainability through campus operations so that our communities can experience sustainable practices and value their connection to the physical environment, ecosystems and biodiversity. 

We are making steady progress towards our goal of carbon neutrality and we have already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than one-third in the last seven years. You can read about our initiatives and facilities related to energy, food, health & wellbeing, nature & ecosystems, transport, procurement, waste and water. 

Find out more

Leading sustainability

As a civic university, University of Galway plays a leading role in the economic, cultural and social development of Galway City, the Western region and nationally. We promote sustainable international development, awareness of human rights and globally conscientious citizenship.

We recognise the SDGs as the blueprint for a sustainable future and we are committed to the SDGs at an institutional level. We have been designated a National SDG Ambassador by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, recognising the leading role the University is playing in achieving the SDGs. Find out more.