| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.66 |
| Liaison | Philippe Lemarchand |
| Submission Date | Dec. 2, 2024 |
Technological University Dublin
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
1.1 Coordinating committee, officer, or office for sustainability
Yes
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s sustainability committees:
Sustainability Office (Ref 1)
University Sustainability Council (Ref 2)
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (Ref 3)
URL References:
Ref 2: https://www.tudublin.ie/explore/about-the-university/sustainability/about/sustainability-council/
Does the institution have one or more sustainability officers?:
Yes
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s sustainability officers:
TU Dublin has a VP of Sustainability, Jennifer Boyer, who is governing 4 sustainability functions that are "Sustainability Education", "Decarbonisation", "Sutainability Intelligence", and "Societal Engagement", and 1 sustainability group "Sustainability Action Research & Innovation Projects" (Ref 1). Each sustainability function has a head of function: Dr Brian Gormley, Rosie Webb, Dr Philippe Lemarchand, Helena F1tzgerald. The sustainability group gathers 3 project managers and innovation leads, as well as 2 Green-Campus Co-Chair. By the end of 2023, the sustainability office was composed of 12 females and 6 males.
URL References:
Does the institution have a sustainability office that includes more than one full-time equivalent employee?:
Yes
Description of each sustainability office:
The Sustainability Office consists of the VP of Sustainability, four Sustainability Heads of Function (Sustainability Education, Societal Engagement, Decarbonisation, Sustainability Intelligence), and sustainability project leads.
In addition, the University Sustainability Council connects the sustainability with a wide range of departments and heads of function across the university.
Full-time equivalent of people employed in the sustainability offices:
16.30
Is at least one of the institution’s sustainability committees, officers, or offices charged with coordinating various campus constituencies in the advancement of sustainability across the entire institution?:
Yes
Narrative outlining the activities and substantive accomplishments of the institution-wide coordinating body or officer during the previous three years:
TU Dublin Sustainability Education team (Ref 1) is driving the sustainability transformation of the curriculum, professional development and upskilling of staff and students. AASHE recognises TU Dublin as the first Centre for Sustainability Across the Curriculum in Europe (Ref 2). Other major recognitions include:
(i) sustainability educaton framework (Ref 3),
(ii) the start of the University Education Model led by Academic Affair (Ref 4),
(iii) the participation to the Sulitest (Ref 1),
(iv) the development of a Sustainability Toolkit (Ref 3),
(v) the partnership with UNITAR (Ref 7),
(vi) the re-iterated funding of the SATLE project (Ref 8)
TU Dublin Sustainable Campus programme (https://www.tudublin.ie/explore/about-the-university/sustainability/sustainable-campus/) bi-annually report the Climate Action Roadmap (CAR) (Ref 9). This is a significant effort that looks at contiuously measuring and reporting Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions and planning the decarbonisation of the university. A major recognition of the wholistic sustainability measures across campuses is seen with TU Dublin raising the Green Flag at all campuses (Ref 10).
TU Dublin Sustainability Intelligence (Ref 11) leads the Digital Transformation programme of the unversity on the sustainability theme. The team looks at gathering all data from all the university to assess and report on the sustainability level of the university, and develop new digital methodology to enhance and consolidate the assessment and report on all sustainability aspects. The sustainability digitalisation programme already produced three web applications that enable to assess the sustainability in the curriculum (analysing the curriculum databases), sustainability in research (analysing all research outputs in the TU Dublin research repository and Scopus), and sustainability in communication (analysing website content). These web apps assess the sustainablity level (Focused, Incluside, or Nothing) of text among the 17 UN SDG. These applications are available to all staff, students, and the public. Another project within the programme is "Towards a Sustainability University Campus" (Ref 12) which looks at digitalisation the operation of TU Dublin buildings and campuses with outputs feeding into scope 1, 2 and 3 outputs reported in the Climate Action Roadmap.
Further background on TU Dublin "Digitalisation Transformation" programme of the universiy: TU Dublin Strategic Plan (Ref 13 and Ref 14) is build 3 sustainability pillars, namely People, Planet, and Partnership. A fouth pillar is "Enablers" and includes the "Digital Transformation" programme of the university that is made evident across a non-exhaustive list of university activities such as (i) the N-TUTORR project on the Digital Transformation in Teaching and Learning (Ref 15) leading to TU Dublin policy and guidance on Digital Education (Ref 16), (ii) the Technology Services Digital Transformation Programme 24/25 (Ref 17), and (iii) digital transformation courses delivered by various schools in the Faculty of Computing, Digital and Data (Ref 18).
URL References:
Ref 1: https://www.tudublin.ie/explore/about-the-university/sustainability/sustainability-education/
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
1
Optional documentation
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Additional documentation for this credit:
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Job descriptions
Jennifer Boyer, Vice President of Sustainability
Job Description:
Overview:
TU Dublin is uniquely positioned to drive societal changes. The University aspires to be a leader and voice for sustainability, a way of living and working in a new, more balanced way, a way that protects our planet for future generations. The Vice President for Sustainability will provide leadership, strategic direction and oversight for the coordination and management of the University's activities in relation to sustainability, across both professional services and academic domains.
Reporting to the President and part of the University Executive Team (UET), the Vice President for Sustainability will focus on:
• Establishing TU Dublin as one of the world's most sustainable universities
• Working with the UET to deliver on the objectives set out in the TU Dublin's Strategic Intent 2030 document
• Leading delivery of the Planet pillar - and associated performance indicators - within Strategic Intent 2030
• Providing leadership and strategic direction in cultivating effective collaborations with external partners to drive improvements in sustainability institutionally, nationally and internationally
• Developing the University's international footprint and voice as a champion of sustainability
• Assessing and improving the impact of TU Dublin's sustainability policies and activities on the University and on the society within which it operates
• Working with the academic community to develop graduates who are responsible global citizens committed to the principles of sustainability.
Key responsibilities:
University Leadership
• To make an active contribution to delivering on the University mission and share responsibility for evolving the overall University strategy as a member of the University Executive Team
• To represent and promote the interests of the University internally and externally
• To contribute to building a culture of respect, trust, collaboration, understanding, shared accountability and purpose across TU Dublin
• To work with and report to the University Governing Body on performance against the Strategic Plan targets
• Assist the President in driving the University's efforts in discharging its legal obligations as set out in the Technological Universities Act 2018
Sustainability Leadership
• To develop and oversee the implementation of a cohesive University strategy for sustainability, establishing TU Dublin as the top Irish university for sustainability, recognised through appropriate awards and/or accreditation for all campus locations
• To work with the programme, school and faculty leadership to embed sustainability as a crosscutting theme in all programmes to ensure TU Dublin creates graduates who champion and progress the sustainability agenda
• To work with Research Hubs and the Research Academy to showcase TU Dublin's living lab for environmental sustainability, fostering leading minds and sharing research knowledge and expertise which informs actions that achieve sustainability
• To support academic units and professional services to deliver on the KPls relating to sustainability, in line with the University Strategy
• To maintain regular contact with officials within the regulatory bodies relating to sustainability to ensure their evolving best practices are disseminated across the University
• To work with the Estates and Facilities team to develop an ambitious campus planning strategy that drives sustainability initiatives and reduces emissions across the University estate
• To raise awareness among the staff - including senior management and students of the potential impact of the emerging sustainable development initiatives and best practice.
Operational
• To monitor legislation and keep abreast of best practice in comparable large estates to ensure that appropriate solutions are identified and implemented in the University
• To review capital and infrastructure procurement processes to incorporate principles of sustainability
• To consult with University staff and contractors to ensure they meet University sustainability specifications.
Governance
• To provide accurate, timely and comprehensive information and guidance on all pertinent matters within the portfolio of the Vice President for Sustainability to the Governing Body and associated committees
• To actively represent sustainability activities on relevant committees of the University, presenting papers and leading where appropriate
• To work with and advise Estates & Facilities on all issues relating to sustainability
• To ensure the successful integration of sustainability priorities in the delivery of all relevant academic and professional services.
External relations and communications
• To establish TU Dublin as a beacon for sustainability, driving public discourse and influencing policy development in partnership with thought leaders
• To promote the University as a platform and potential partner to support the development of new sustainability initiatives on a global level
• To represent the University on external bodies and at external events, such as seminars, conferences and public lectures to help drive the sustainability agenda on the local, national, and international stages
• To work closely with the marketing and communications unit to ensure sustainability activities are aligned with the university's marketing and communications activities.
General
• To produce management and other reports as required
• To undertake any other activities assigned from time to time by the President.
In undertaking these responsibilities, the Vice President for Sustainability will be able to delegate specific functions, but not accountability for them, to other individuals.
Copy of the job description for the institution’s sustainability officer (1st position):
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Text of the job description for the institution’s sustainability officer (2nd position):
Rosie Webb, Head of Decarbonisation
Job Description
Role Overview
The Head of Decarbonisation will play a key role in establishing TU Dublin as one of the world’s most sustainable universities by provide strategic direction for the University’s campus environment (development and planning) to mitigate climate risks and reduce TU Dublin’s environmental impacts. Reporting to the Vice President for Sustainability, and working as a member of the Sustainability Senior Management Team, the Head of Decarbonisation will lead the Campus Decarbonisation team and has responsibility for developing the decarbonisation roadmap and climate action targets and timelines for reducing carbon emissions across all campus operations and planned developments to achieve national, European objectives and University ambitions to reach carbon neutrality by 2040.
The Head of Decarbonisation will provide strategic advice and services to Campus and Estates, Campus Planning, Finance, and faculties and schools within the University as appropriate to identify and support implementation at local level of climate action plans to realise energy generation, energy efficiency, waste reduction/elimination, water conservation, sustainable transportation, increased biodiversity, and sustainable purchasing targets. They will be responsible for leading the work of the Climate Action Coordination Team comprising the Climate Action Coordinator, and associate specialist areas including Sustainable Travel & Mobility, Biodiversity, and the Sustainable Purchasing.
The Head of Decarbonisation will:
• Lead the development and delivery of the University’s Decarbonisation Strategy, change agenda, climate action planning review and roadmap for reducing carbon emissions across all campus operations and planned developments, working towards a target of becoming carbon neutral by 2040
• Work closely with the University’s Professional Services (including Campus and Estates, Campus Planning, and Finance) and with academic leads and researchers across Faculties, Schools, and
Research & Innovation Services to:
- identify, establish, facilitate and service functional areas to agree and deliver on specific actions.
- align planned activities with the European Green Deal, Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2021, National Carbon Budgets, and the Circular Economy Strategy
- embed and implement sustainability (including energy conservation) into the physical University environment through capital development and planning processes
• Provide risk and control management against environmental and social sustainability criteria relating to the University risk register reviewing areas such as climate risk, water and waste prevention and management, circular economy transition, pollution prevention, healthy ecosystems (human health and biodiversity) as outlined in Annex III of the Technical Guidance document Article 17 of the Taxonomy Regulation on Do No Significant Harm under the Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation (2021)3 in relation to relevant European Emissions Trading Systems benchmarking
• Develop climate change mitigation and adaptation strategiesfor university governance, policies, and practices as part of establishing the University as a Beacon of Sustainability
• Maintain regular contact with officials within the regulatory bodies relating to decarbonisation to ensure their evolving best practices are disseminated across the University
• Develop partnerships with larger enterprises as leaders of change to identify opportunities of mutual benefit to accelerate sectoral decarbonisation
• Embed the urgency of climate change impacts in decision-making, strategies, processes, and initiatives at every level of the organization, raising awareness among the staff – including senior management and students of the potential impact of the emerging sustainable
development initiatives and best practice
• Oversee the management and support for the University Green Campus Committee, connecting and inviting engagement from students and staff to participate in University wide sustainability action and awareness building through volunteering and policy implementation initiatives.
• Identify opportunities and develop suitable funding and development proposals to support decarbonisation through technological innovation for climate action
• Advise the Vice President for Sustainability and University Executive Team on University Sustainability impacts for strategic planning and decision making on Decarbonisation
The Head of Decarbonisation will work closely with the Sustainability Team and is expected to work in close collaboration with the University’s leadership team and colleagues across the University community, particularly the Heads of School and Heads of Service. Additional critical working relationships will include those with the:
Head of Campus Planning
Head of Campus and Estates (Environment Sustainability Manager, Energy & Carbon Lead)
Head of Finance (Procurement)
Head of Governance and Compliance
Principal Accountabilities
• Manage the Campus Decarbonisation team to develop and delivery of the University’s Decarbonisation Strategy framework and associated roadmap and climate action targets and timelines for reducing carbon emissions across all campus operations and planned
developments, working to become carbon neutral by 2040.
• Work closely with the University’s networks externally with key partners in respect of climate action agendas, to share and learn best practice. Key University partners include the Grangegorman Development Agency, Codema, SEAI and key representatives from the Dublin
regional Local Authorities (DCC, SDCC, Fingal).
• Provide strategic advice and services to Campus and Estates, Campus Planning, Finance, and other departments and functions within the University as appropriate to identify and support implementation at local level of climate action plans and targets.
• Oversee the work of the Climate Action Plan Co-ordination Team (comprising the Climate Action Lead Co-ordinator, Biodiversity Officer, Travel & Mobility Officer, and the Sustainable Purchasing Officer).
• Support Professional Services to review environmental and social risks associated with
University activities to:
o advance the reduction of energy consumption on campus,
o consider service delivery in light of environmental impacts from commuting/transportation,
o review purchasing requirements,
o consider local water and waste management strategies arising from function level activities,
o advise and support on implementation of Green Labs practices and other recognised Sustainability certifications
• Manage overall Decarbonisation monitoring of campus environment emissions, working
closely with Strategy and Planning, Finance, Campus and Estates, Campus Planning and other services, faculties and schools and stakeholders as appropriate
• Work closely with the Vice President for Sustainability and the core Sustainability team in defining sustainability goals and associated carbon emissions metrics to assess effectiveness
• Maintain currency in the University’s approach to enhance carbon emissions measurement methods tracking national, European, and international reporting standards and approaches
• Lead on the development and delivery of strategic University and public sector decarbonisation funding proposals and collaborations to mainstream deliverables and impacts for internal and external benefit
General management responsibilities:
• To contribute fully as a member of Sustainability Senior Management Team in developing and implementing Sustainability Strategy and operational plans, as they align with the University’s Strategic Intent to 2030.
• Develop a work plan, targets and deadlines and ensure their subsequent delivery in line with strategic goals, taking a continuous improvement approach to all activities
• Analyse, report and communicate the activities of the Campus Decarbonisation function providing feedback and manage reporting and governance arrangements as required by the University’s policies and procedures
• Lead, manage and develop the staff assigned to this function including the personal development and performance review process.
• Manage and develop collaborative, productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Manage budgets as required by the University’s policies and procedures
• Manage the procurement and performance of suppliers as required by the University’s policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures, legislation, standards, codes of conduct and general principles of good governance at all times.
• Represent the Sustainability team internally and the University externally on relevant committees, projects and working groups, when required.
• Deputize as appropriate in the absence of the Vice President for Sustainability.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Vice President for Sustainability.
Copy of the job description for the institution’s sustainability officer (2nd position):
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Text of the job description for the institution’s sustainability officer (3rd position):
Dr. Philippe Lemarchand, Head of Sustainability Intelligence
Job Description:
Role Overview
The Head of Sustainability Intelligence will play a key role in establishing TU Dublin as one of the world’s most sustainable universities by measuring and advising on University wide sustainability impacts. Reporting to the Vice President for Sustainability, and working as a member of the Sustainability Senior Management Team, the Head of Sustainability Intelligence will lead the
Sustainability Intelligence team. The postholder will have responsibility for establishing University wide technological reporting systems for capturing and assessing sustainability impacts to identify and prioritise strategic activities to achieve University objectives. The Head of Sustainability Intelligence will lead their team in creating a dynamic, digitally enabled, learning and working
environment for testing, piloting, and realising technological advancements to inform the development of our campus systems. This role provides strategic information which enables our campus to become a living lab, through human-centred technologies and innovation to stimulate sustainability action.
The Head of Sustainability Intelligence will work closely with and support the Vice President for Sustainability to identify priorities for Sustainability and provide key insights in the dynamic development of the University Sustainability Strategy. Lead by the Head of Sustainability Intelligence, the Sustainability Intelligence Team will provide organisational intelligence to the
University Executive Team across a range of academic and operational activities to improve overall sustainability performance.
The Head of Sustainability Intelligence will:
Establish and operationalise the Sustainability Intelligence systems for data inventory, collection and monitoring, of University wide Sustainability performance
Develop a system and methodology of measurement aligned to international reporting and certification standards to measure meaningful impact from sustainability activities and establish a University baseline (including GHG, GRI, and STARS)
Provide regular internal and annual external Sustainability performance reporting appropriate to the Higher Education sector, contributing to audit and risk review
Oversee the research, collection, analysis, and verification of data and other activities contributing to the operationalising of the University Sustainability data collection system
Advise the Vice President for Sustainability and University Executive Team members on University Sustainability impacts for strategic planning and decision making
Support the development of a University Digital Transformation Plan for sustainability and resilience, overseeing the development of the SMART Campus Infrastructure strategy
Works closely with other University reporting functions to develop and embed sustainability criteria into core reports, systems, and impact assessment criteria
The Head of Sustainability Intelligence will work very closely with the Sustainability Team and is expected to work in close collaboration with the University’s leadership team and colleagues across the University community, particularly the Heads of School/Function. Additional critical working relationships will include those with the:
Head of Technology Services
Head of Strategy & Planning
Head of Governance and Compliance
Head of Finance
Principal Accountabilities
Manages overall Sustainability reporting and disclosure, working closely with Strategy & Planning, Finance, Estates, Campus Planning and other University departments and stakeholders as appropriate
Develops sustainability reporting processes for all GHG emissions, STARS criteria, and GRI through close collaboration with professional services and academic function areas, identifying systems updates and staff training requirements as appropriate
Works cross-functionally to establish sustainability reporting methods and metrics, supporting and educating functions on relevant sustainability metrics to initiate and accelerate progress on sustainability reporting for strategic insights and decision making
Works with Technology Services and Campus and Estates to develop University systems for enhanced information flows for monitoring and reporting to inform the development of a
SMART Infrastructure strategy
Support the improvement and effectiveness of University’s sustainability practices through information systems and monitoring best practices related to sustainability by benchmark peer institutions and providing evidence for the recommendations of new sustainability programming and investment.
Work closely with the VP Sustainability and the core Sustainability team in defining sustainability goals and associated performance metrics to assess effectiveness
Advises University functions (including academic and research teams) on impact areas to develop solutions for data-driven intelligence and assurance processes to measure and monitor activities to achieve sustainability related targets
Provides regular forecasting reports from statistical analysis, including audit and risk review
Oversees the development of capabilities for advanced technology data analytics enabling dynamic continuous improvement processes
Maintains currency in the University’s approach to enhance sustainability measurement methods tracking national, European, and international sustainability finance and reporting standards with a close eye on digital innovation.
General management responsibilities:
To contribute fully as a member of Sustainability Senior Management Team in developing and implementing Sustainability Strategy and operational plans, as they align with the University’s Strategic Intent to 2030.
Develop a work plan, targets and deadlines and ensure their subsequent delivery in line with strategic goals, taking a continuous improvement approach to all activities
Analyse, report and communicate the activities of the Sustainability Intelligence function providing feedback and manage reporting and governance arrangements as required by the University’s policies and procedures
Lead, manage and develop the staff assigned to this function including the personal development and performance review process.
Manage and develop collaborative, productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Manage budgets as required by the University’s policies and procedures
Manage the procurement and performance of suppliers as required by the University’s policies and procedures
Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures, legislation, standards, codes of conduct and general principles of good governance at all times.
Represent the Sustainability team internally and the University externally on relevant committees, projects and working groups, when required.
Deputise as appropriate in the absence of the Vice President for Sustainability.
Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Vice President for Sustainability.
Copy of the job description for the institution’s sustainability officer (3rd position):
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.