Galway Chamber Business Awards 2020

 NUI 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 NUI Galway 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 NUI 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.  NUI 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."

NUI Galway's Green Flag Award

In March 2019, our University was awarded the internationally recognised Green Flag by the An Taisce Green-Campus Programme on behalf of the International Foundation for Environmental Education. The Green Campus Programme is an international environmental education and award scheme that promotes long term whole college action for the environment that empowers both students and staff to create a more balanced community and to reduce environmental impacts and associated costs.  The Green Flag Award is the result of many years of hard work undertaken to promote best practice in sustainability across five themes which include energy, waste, travel, biodiversity and water. Work to attain the An Taisce Green Campus Flag was led by the Green Campus Team and  part of  the Community and University Sustainability Partnership (CUSP).

Green Flag award with names

SEAI Excellence in Energy Research & Innovation 2020

NUI Galway won the SEAI Excellence in Energy Research & Innovation Award in 2020. The SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards recognise and reward excellence in all aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy. 

NUI 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.

SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) Logo

Green Awards 2021

The Green Awards are the leading platform for sustainability intelligence, leadership and innovation in best green practice in Ireland. The Green Awards recognise the extraordinary contribution and commitment that businesses and organisations now make towards growing a greener future in Irish business today. Since its launch, the Green Awards have been helping businesses gain recognition for their achievements throughout the year in protecting and enhancing the environment.

NUI Galway was shortlisted for the following at the Green Awards 2021:

- Green Public Sector Organisation of the Year

- The Sustainable Energy Achievement Award

 

Green Awards 2021 Logo