Cork 2023: UCC ranks as one of world’s greenest universities

University College Cork was recently ranked one of the world’s best among third-level institutions in tackling sustainability

The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The university was ranked 58th out of 1,591 in its impact and contribution towards a more sustainable future. It also ranked within the top 20 globally in two of the rankings’ 17 categories, placing sixth in the Zero Hunger SDG ranking and 15th in Clean Water and Sanitation.

Scoring on the Zero Hunger SDG is based on considerations like the university’s research on hunger and its practices regarding campus food waste.

As part of its initiatives, the campus went plastic free this year, eliminating all single-use plastics in its operations throughout on-campus dining, shops and vending machines. The result is that it issued 287,500 fewer cups and 12,250 fewer plastic bottles on campus in the first four months of 2023 compared to last year.

In a statement, John O’Halloran, president of UCC, welcomed the news saying: “It is incumbent on universities to continue to lead and inspire action towards the creation of a better future for our people and planet.

“UCC has done much work in this area, and we have more to do. It is our students and staff who deserve recognition as it is our community who have embraced how we ensure our research, learning and teaching and practices help create a brighter future.”

Earlier this year, the university announced its strategic plan for the next five years. It also created a dedicated Office of Sustainability and Climate Action, which has been tasked to deliver on sector-leading environmental targets while also ensuring that the focus on a sustainable future is delivered throughout all of its operations, including teaching, and research.