The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

At University of Galway we recognise the critical role that universities must play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  We recognise that the SDGs are the blueprint for a sustainable future and we are committed to the SDGs at an institutional level. Delivering sustainable development is central to our new strategic plan; Shared Vision, Shaped by Values. The Plan presents sustainability as one of four pillars with ten associated Flagship Action across the university mission. 

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.

Times Higher Education Impact Ranking

The University of Galway was ranked 34th in the world (no. 1 in Ireland) in the 5th annual THE IMPACT Rankings, pubished May 2023, out of 1,591 institutions from 112 countries across the world. 

It also achieved a top 50 rank in seven of the individual SDGs and a 101-200 rank in a further four individual SDGs - See more on University of Galway's SDG Ranking results here.

SDG Accord

University of Galway has signed the SDG Accord, demonstrating our commitment at an institutional level to embed the SDGs into our education, research, leadership, operations, administration and engagement activities. We affirm our ambitions in sustainability through our NUI Galway Sustainability Strategy. We demonstrate leadership in the achievement of the SDGs by promoting sustainability scholarship, social justice, human rights and global citizenship as graduate and staff attributes; by embedding sustainability in operations and investments and by building sustainable partnerships with communities.

Coalition 2030

University of Galway is a member of the Coalition 2030; an alliance of over 60 leading international and local civil society organisations working towards upholding Ireland's commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030, both in Ireland and Internationally. The coalition is made up of international and domestic NGOs along with youth organisations, environmental groups, academics, and trade unions. Coalition 2030 members collaborate in advocacy for effective implementation of the SDGs and to monitor the Irish government’s compliance with its responsibilities as a signatory to the plan.

United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI)

University of Galway is a member of United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI). UNAI is an initiative that aligns institutions of higher education with the United Nations in supporting and contributing to the realisation of United Nations goals and mandates, including the promotion and protection of human rights, access to education, sustainability and conflict resolution. UNAI is informed by a commitment to support and advance ten basic principles.  You can read about the principles here

Global Challenges University Alliance

NUI Galway is a member of the Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA), which is an initiative that gathers the leading universities on every continent around issues of food security, bio-energy, sustainable urban development and climate. The partner universities work together to gather greater knowledge and translate knowledge into relevant action, to meet the global SDG challenges.

University of Galway Climate Action and Sustainability Policy

The purpose of our recently launched University of Galway Climate Action and Sustainability Policy is to lead the transition to a sustainable future by embedding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), into all our major efforts, including education, research, leadership, professional support services, operations and engagement activities. Our Sustainability Report 2021/22 provides examples of how our teaching, research, outreach and engagement activities are progressing each of the 17 SDGs.