Climate and Sustainability

Universities are critical to tackling the climate and biodiversity crises. IUA universities have the expertise and, with the necessary resources, the capacity to support Ireland in achieving the legally binding obligations set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, reinforced in the Climate Action Plan 2024 and specified in the 2024 Public Sector Climate Action Mandate.

Through research, education, campus operations, and continued engagement with enterprise and government agencies, IUA universities are playing a powerful role in enabling a just transition to a low carbon society that can be amplified through increased investment and support. Indeed, our universities have identified sustainability as an area of strategic importance and have placed sustainability objectives at the heart of their institutional strategies. In 2021, TU Dublin appointed Ireland’s first Vice President for Sustainability. Since then, three more senior Vice President appointments have been made across IUA universities.

Undoubtedly, IUA universities are strongly positioned to act as a catalyst for far-reaching climate action across society. Universities can, and do lead Irish efforts to combat climate change and act a beacon for the public sector. Acting as “living laboratories” for societal transformation, universities can inspire action to meet the challenge of climate change and harness the opportunities and rewards that will come from moving swiftly and efficiently to a low carbon society.

Carbon Emission Reductions – Leading by Example

As custodians of large campuses and estates IUA universities are committed to delivering on their carbon emission reduction targets and in taking a leadership role in driving Climate Action.  Collectively IUA universities manage over 750 buildings across 1,000 hectares of campus estates producing 102 ktCO2 of carbon emissions in 2022.  This campus concentration provides a unique opportunity to deliver real impact in terms of carbon emission reductions and a detailed analysis undertaken by sector has identified the opportunity to reduce GHG emissions by c. 71 ktCO2, a reduction of 61%, by 2030.

Delivering on this opportunity however will require multi-annual partnership and funding from government over a 5-year period.

Further detail is available in the IUA’s ‘Climate Action Roadmap Delivery – Delivering on our 2030 Carbon Emission Targets’ Report. Click here: https://www.iua.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IUA_Climate-Action-Roadmap-Final-A.pdf

EPA-IUA Campus Living Labs

The EPA-IUA ‘Campus Living Labs’ project marked the first time IUA universities came together to embed circular economy principles and practices in campus operations. Clink below to learn about the impact of the project.

Sustainability Offices in Irish Universities