UCD launches ambitious Sustainability Plan to 2030 with focus on action, resilience and engagement

_{Pictured: Professor Tasman Crowe, UCD Vice-President for Sustainability}

University College Dublin today launched its Sustainability Plan to 2030, a bold roadmap for embedding sustainability across every dimension of university life — from research and education to campus operations and global partnerships.

The detailed and participatory plan translates UCD’s broad strategic goals into clear, actionable commitments designed to further develop the university’s position as a leading force for sustainable development at home and abroad.

In her opening remarks at the launch, UCD president Professor Orla Feely commended the plan for being “very action-oriented”. 

She added: “UCD is currently ranked number 49 in the world for sustainability in the QS Rankings. That's based on an assessment against the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which is very telling about where we are as an institution. We have so many people who are very committed to making sure that we advance this journey now to get ourselves to a place where we can be a model for universities, for communities and, indeed, for the world.”

A living lab for sustainability

The sustainability plan aligns closely with UCD’s broader Breaking Boundaries Strategy to 2030 but goes further by setting out specific objectives and enablers that will guide the university's transformation. Central to this effort is a vision of UCD as a ‘living lab’ — where sustainability is practised, taught and researched in real time by students, staff and the wider community.

Giving the student perspective in a speech at the launch, Kendra Paleczny, who is in her fourth year of the BSc Sustainability, said the plan’s ‘Objective Five: Campuses as living labs’ resonated most with her. 

“Universities have all the resources we need: the experts, the researchers, the physical infrastructure. Imagine if UCD became a successful model for a circular economy — what a powerful example that would set for wider society. If we can’t make it happen here, how can we expect governments to achieve it on a larger scale?” 

Strong foundations

UCD Vice-President for Sustainability, Professor Tasman Crowe (pictured above) said the plan builds on a foundation of excellent work for sustainability over many years.

“It is the product of a very extensive process of consultation and engagement. It includes ideas from a process started three years ago in relation to UCD's last strategy, plus new thinking from our core working groups and the consultation for the new Breaking Boundaries strategy, which included some great input from external stakeholders and UCD students and staff from all parts of the university.”

He added: “Sustainability is not just about coffee cups and electric vehicles. The UN Sustainable Development Goals encompass a wide range of environmental, societal, cultural, economic and governance dimensions.  UCD is an SDG Champion under a government programme and we are committed to working in partnership to help solve the wicked interlinked challenges captured in the goals at local, national and global levels.”   

Empowering people across the university

Another major pillar of the plan is empowerment — both of individuals and communities within UCD. 

The university has made clear its intention to support students and staff in becoming sustainability leaders through training, resources and the wider integration of sustainability into academic and professional development. Staff from academic, professional and operational areas are encouraged to take ownership of specific sustainability actions, with support from interdisciplinary working groups.

This participatory approach extends to alumni and external partners too. UCD is cultivating an ecosystem of collaboration, inviting those outside the university to play an active role in co-creating and scaling solutions to global challenges.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Larry O’Connell, director of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) highlighted the “holistic and ambitious framing” of the plan.

“I think the granular targets that are set out in the plan really do seem to ensure that what's written down is going to be followed by action. I've also seen firsthand how the work of the university is seeking to shape wider action on sustainability.”

Clear objectives for global impact

UCD’s sustainability plan identifies six key objectives that reflect the university’s ambition to lead globally while making a difference locally. These include advancing research and innovation aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); enhancing climate and biodiversity action; building climate resilience; empowering the UCD community; embedding sustainability in governance and policy; and transforming the campus into a sustainability exemplar and driver of wider change.

Importantly, these objectives are not siloed. The plan emphasises an integrated approach, where each area of action reinforces the others. For example, research informs campus operations, which in turn provide rich data and case studies for education and student engagement.

Governance and accountability

UCD has committed to embedding sustainability within its decision-making structures, ensuring that environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are front and centre in planning and performance evaluations. This will involve integrating sustainability into policy, budgeting, procurement and reporting processes.

Regular progress tracking will be supported by robust metrics and transparent reporting. This allows both internal stakeholders and the wider public to monitor the university’s trajectory toward its 2030 goals and to inform its next steps.

A national and global example

While the plan is tailored to the unique context of UCD, its scope is unmistakably global. Through education, research, alumni networks and partnerships, UCD aims to amplify its impact well beyond Dublin. The plan explicitly frames the university as a thought leader and changemaker in the global sustainability movement — an aspiration reflected in its collaborations, rankings and advocacy.

Crucially, this is not just a plan for compliance or reputation. It is a blueprint for transformational change — rooted in evidence, driven by people and animated by urgency.

Next steps

The plan is already in motion, with working groups activated across key domains and early actions underway. In the coming months and years, students, staff and stakeholders can expect new opportunities to engage — whether through curriculum changes, research partnerships, events, or on-campus sustainability initiatives.

For the full plan, visit the UCD Sustainability Plan to 2030 and explore the wider UCD Sustainability website for further information and opportunities to get involved. We look forward to hearing from you!