Awards

No. 1 in Ireland for sustainability (Times Higher Education Impact Ranking)

University of Galway has been named the number one university in Ireland 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 rakings also places the University of Galway in the world’s top 50 and recognised globally for significant contribution to progress on 11 of the 17 UN SDGs. This includes a world ranking of number 10 for Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and top 100 status for 6 of the 17 SDGs.

SDG Champion 2023/24

The University of Galway has been designated as a national SDG Champion for 2023-24 by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.  The designation recognises the leading role the University is playing in achieving the UN SDGs. 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 UN SDGs. 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.

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Excellence in Sustainability (Education Awards 2024)

The University secured the top prize for Excellence in Sustainability at the Education Awards 2024, in recognition of progress in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including the opening of the Sustainability office this year and the My Green Labs certificate for all labs in the Alice Perry Engineering Building.

AASHE STARS gold-rated University

In November 2021, University of Galway joined an elite group of universities around the world by being recognised with a STARS Gold rating for sustainability achievements. 

STARS® (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. The framework encompasses long-term sustainability goals for already high-achieving institutions. STARS assesses environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability across five areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.

Athena Swan Awards

The University of Galway been accredited with an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award, and 11 out of our 18 schools hold individual Athena SWAN Awards. In 2022, the School of Engineering became the first school of engineering to achieve a Silver Award. Find out more about Athena SWAN at the University of Galway here. Timeline of Athena SWAN achievements and milestones:

University of Galway's Second Green Flag 2022

The University of Galway was awarded a second prestigious Green Flag by An Taisce and the International Foundation of Environmental Education for the quality of its campus and its commitment environment and sustainability. The Green Flag is a visual sign of the commitment made in reducing the environmental footprint associated with campus operations.

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Lorraine Rushe, Environmental, Health and Safety Manager in Buildings & Estates, University of Galway; Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, University of Galway President; : Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton T.D.; Denis O’Connor, Director, Buildings & Estates, University of Galway; Deirdre O’Carroll, Programme Manager, An Taisce; and Noel O’Connor, Assistant Director, Buildings & Estates, University of Galway. Credit – Aengus McMahon.

Galway Chamber Business Awards 2020

The University of Galway was announced the winner of the‌ Sustainability Category of the Galway Chamber Awards 2020, at a virtual award ceremony hosted on Friday 26th February attended by hundreds of businesses to celebrate the achievement innovation and resilience of the Galway Business Community.  The judges were impressed by the University of Galway's strategic commitment to sustainability, the contribution that sustainability practices are making to the economy and society and the mainstream nature of sustainability activities within the organisation.

Accepting the Award on behalf of the University of Galway, Michelle O’Dowd Lohan, Sustainability Officer said "sustainability is not about an individual or an organisation, it is partnerships, it is about collaboration it is about working together to solve complex societal challenges.  University of Galway is for the public good, we are here for our students our staff and the planet and we plan to continue our long tradition of partnerships with community groups and organisations in the Galway region."

SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards (2019, 2020 and 2023)

In 2023, the University of Galway won the Energy in Buildings Award at the SEAI Awards 2023. The Áras de Brún Building, constructed in 1960, was a successful retrofit utilising numerous sustainable technologies achieving energy reductions and serving as a live research platform. This "Living Lab" research platform promotes further exploration of decarbonisation strategies and offers the academic community valuable insights and data.

The building underwent a major refurbishment in 2014 to improve sustainability and energy efficiency. Sustainable strategies used in the building include air to water heat pump, heating distribution system, solar photovoltaic system, upgraded LED lighting. These strategies aimed to improve the building's energy rating from D1 to A3, leading to a 77% reduction in gas usage and a 25% decrease in electricity usage. The project also focuses on internal environmental quality, measuring and monitoring temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and light to ensure comfort and efficiency. The project is an innovative approach to retrofitting existing structures, leading to significant reduction in carbon emissions, and contributions to research and education on decarbonisation.

In 2020, the University of Galway won the SEAI Excellence in Energy Research & Innovation Award. The SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards recognise and reward excellence in all aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The University of Galway received this award for our leading international reputation in research and technology development. The VorTech research team, working primarily within the strategic research priority area of "Environment, Marine and Energy" have developed the VorTech technology (Vortex Powered Aerator – VPA), which aims to revolutionise the energy intensive aeration process within wastewater treatment plants. The team demonstrated the technology in practice, leading to 30% energy recovery. A spin-out company has been formed, VorTech Water Solutions, and aims to deliver energy savings at wastewater treatment plants both in Ireland and at international level and to deliver huge benefits in waste-water treatment plants in Ireland and on a global scale.

In 2019, the University of Galway won Energy Team of the Year at the SEAI Awards 2019. University of Galway has set its sights on the campus being one of the greenest universities in the world. They impressed judges with their inclusive and long-term approach to energy management. As part of its strategy, the Energy Team run initiatives and campaigns which encourage and provide tools to students and staff on how they can reduce energy use on campus and in their homes. Already at 36% energy reduction, University of Galway continue to work towards their ambitious target of a 40% energy reduction by 2020.

Front Row: L-R, Fergal Murray, Lorraine Rushe, President Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Michael Curran, John Gill, Peter Dooley
‌Back Row: L-R, Patrick Diviney, John Harrington, Anthony Flaherty, John Gibney, Sean Farrell, Tony Nevin, Noel O' Connor, Micheal O Tuairsig, Adrian Flaherty, Karl Byrne and Kenny O' Toole.

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