In recent years, there has been a growing global awareness of environmental challenges and the imperative to find solutions for the well-being of our planet. Several governmental and non-governmental bodies have been working to address these climate issues by adopting ways to save our planet. Many of these initiatives lead to sustainable growth, allowing the respective bodies to grow and solve environmental problems. In particular, universities have recognised sustainability as a crucial component of social responsibility.
Leading universities across the world are undertaking initiatives to impact the environment positively. These initiatives encompass specialized study options, educating students across various disciplines on the environment, and engaging in sustainability research. Additionally, many universities have introduced on-campus sustainable initiatives that serve as practical learning experiences for students right where they are gaining education.
As institutions worldwide do their best to save the planet, the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024 have evaluated 1400 universities based on their ability to address environmental, social, and governance challenges. Among them are leading Irish universities that are positively impacting the world.
Learn more below, and if you want to study at a sustainable Ireland university, contact SI-Ireland for a free consultation today.
Top Five Ireland Universities for Sustainability
1. University College Dublin
UCD is the largest Irish university, which is generally ranked among the best in many ranking systems at the global level. It is the top-ranked university in Ireland that is constantly improving sustainability throughout the campus.
UCD Global works on various sustainability initiatives to give students a more eco-friendly experience. They are given orientation workshops to help them understand how to recycle on campus and practice everyday eco-friendly habits. The university also publishes a UCD Global Green Guide that contains resources on sustainable travelling, living, transport and shopping in Dublin. The university also promotes the Green Eramus+ initiative by the EU Commission. UCD has also led several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions among the students and university staff.
- University College Dublin acceptance rate: 20%
- Popular courses: Engineering, Computer Science, Humanities, Business and Medicine.
- Percentage of international students: 23%
2. University College Cork
UCC is generally considered Ireland's ‘Green University,’ it has been on the path to achieving sustainability goals for over a decade by ensuring that the teaching, learning, research, and operations are focused on creating a better world. The Office of Sustainability and Climate Action at the university has been at the forefront of making efforts to enhance the university’s reputation as an award-winning sustainability institution. The Green Campus Committee, established in 2007, and the Green Forum, operational since 2013, have been working to ensure that students and staff members work together to drive the university’s focus on sustainability.
- University College Cork acceptance rate: 40%
- Popular courses: Law, Nursing, Agriculture and Forestry, and Anatomy and Physiology.
- Percentage of international students: 17%
3. University of Galway
The University of Galway has considered sustainability as one of its core values for many years. It was also awarded the status of SDG Champion for 2023/24. Sustainability has now been enshrined in the Strategic Plan 2020-2025 of the university as one of the four values that drive everything done at the university, the others being respect, excellence and openness. The university is committed to being an exemplar of climate action through the research, teaching, engagement and actions that are done at the university. Several unique projects and initiatives take forward the university's commitment, such as the Use Your Mug, 2GoCup, Battle of the Buildings and Organic Waste Circular Economy Project.
- University College Dublin acceptance rate: 86%
- Popular courses: English, Performing Arts, Nursing, Environmental Sciences, and Law.
- Percentage of international students: 35%
4. Dublin City University
Understanding the importance of sustainability to grow responsibly, Dublin City University has embedded the concept at the core of its functioning. The university promotes sustainability through its national and international engagements and has incorporated the principles in its teaching, learning, research, development and innovation. DCU has been working to meet the carbon-neutral challenge and has also introduced measures to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. DCU also actively works to take forward its commitment towards the Sustainable Development Goals as adopted by the United Nations. The university has the DCU Sustainability Charter, wherein resources are readily available for students and staff to find ways to live sustainably in and around the campus.
- Dublin City University acceptance rate: 63%
- Popular courses: Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, and Business
- Percentage of international students: 18%
5. University of Limerick
The University of Limerick (UL) is among the best Irish universities that deeply understand the importance of saving our planet through different measures. The university works to protect the natural habitat of the campus by sourcing native species of bees and insects to be present within the ecosystem. Measures have been taken to ensure that all new buildings are energy efficient. This work is being done by the Buildings and Estate team at the university, which is also retrofitting older buildings to bring them up to the standard for today's sustainability. The university is particularly committed to adopting the practices that promote SDGs and has different departments and staff members working with students to ensure their efforts align with the SDGs.
- University of Limerick acceptance rate: 70%
- Popular courses: Computer Science, Mathematics, Accounting, Public Health and Surgery
- Percentage of international students: 15%
Study in Ireland
Do you want to study at a sustainable university in Ireland? Contact SI-Ireland today for a free consultation on your academic future.
FAQs
Which Ireland college has the best sustainability programme?
University College Dublin has the best sustainability programme in Ireland.
What are the challenges of sustainability in Ireland?
Ireland faces several sustainability challenges like many other countries, including environmental conservation, climate change, and resource management. The country is working toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions while transitioning to renewable energy sources to meet the overall climate action targets.
How is Ireland performing on the Sustainable Development Goals?
Ireland has made progress in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by taking significant steps toward achieving goals related to clean energy, quality education, and gender equality. However, challenges persist in the climate action zone, where Ireland is trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet renewable energy targets.
What is the difference between sustainable development and sustainability?
Though sustainable development and sustainability are interconnected concepts, they have distinct focuses. Sustainable development refers to meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the overall ability of future generations to meet their developmental needs. It involves simultaneously achieving economic, social, and environmental goals while fostering long-term well-being. On the other hand, sustainability is a broader concept encompassing the capacity to endure and thrive over time. It extends beyond development and includes the responsible use of resources, environmental conservation, and social equity.
