TU Dublin
Action and Impact: A University-wide approach to Sustainability
Finalist, Sustainability Institution of the Year
Finalist
About
In 2020, TU Dublin launched a Strategic Plan placing sustainability at the core of the University across strategy and governance, campus and operations, education and curriculum, and community and partnerships. Its implementation was resourced and is now embedded and highly visible. Each year, 6,000 new students take part in an engaging Orientation introducing sustainability. All academic programmes include sustainability as a learning outcome, with students addressing real‑world challenges alongside societal partners. The University has set an ambitious climate action roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
These actions demonstrate a whole‑institution approach, integrating leadership, operational change, curriculum innovation, and external collaboration. TU Dublin’s progress has been widely recognised: it is ranked first in Europe in the AASHE-STARS system, has received a Smarter Travel Gold Award for sustainable commuting, and in the past two years has secured two Green Gown Awards and four Highly Commended accolades across six categories.
Top 3 learnings
- We found that systemic changes to the curriculum via policy change in Academic Council have a concrete, long-lasting impact.
- By engaging students and staff via voluntary groups such as Green Campus, we were able to tap into a massive reservoir of energy, ideas and enthusiasm
- We have a social media and web team to amplify the work of staff, students and volunteers, and that is hugely effective.
What it means to win
This would be recognition of the significant strategic focus on Sustainability by the University, and the hard work by staff and students across the University.
SDG
| 2026 | |
| Sustainability Institution of the Year | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
More from the 2026 awards
Charles Sturt University
Restoring Nature, Inspiring Futures: 20+ Years of Biodiversity Leadership
Read More
Finalist, Nature Positive
Green Gown Award Regions
Australasia
