Cork university amongst best for sustainability
A Cork university has been ranked among the world’s best when it comes to contributing towards the creation of a sustainable future.
UCC has now moved up to 58th place out of 1,591 universities across the world in Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.
The THE Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The ranking is decided by an evidence-based assessment that examines universities for their teaching and learning, research, stewardship of students and the planet, and civic engagement.
In January this year, UCC became a single use plastic free campus, eliminating all single use plastic in its operations throughout on-campus dining, shops, and vending machines. 287,500 fewer cups and 12,250 fewer plastic bottles have been used from January to April this year compared to the same period in 2022.
According to THE, UCC is delivering impact for society across the board from the economy to the environment, to social equity. UCC ranks within the top 20 in 2 of the 17 SDGs considered by the rankings, placing 6th in the Zero Hunger SDG ranking and 15th in Clean Water and Sanitation.
Scoring on the Zero Hunger SDG is based on considerations such as the university’s research on hunger and it practices around Campus Food Waste.
UCC President Prof. John O’Halloran welcomed UCC’s increased showing in the rankings: “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 practices help create a brighter future.”
Meeting sustainability and climate action goals is 1 of the 5 key pillars in UCC’s recently announced Strategic Plan for the next 5 years. Under UCC’s Strategic Plan, a new dedicated Office of Sustainability and Climate Action has been created, tasked to deliver on sector leading environmental targets while also ensuring that learning, teaching, research, and operations lead and inspire the transition to a more sustainable future.