| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.52 |
| Liaison | Maria Kirrane |
| Submission Date | July 28, 2022 |
University College Cork - National University of Ireland, Cork
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
John
O'Halloran Deputy President and Registrar Office of the Deputy President and Registrar |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
UCC 2022 (Strategic Pivot)
ACTION 1.1.1. Accelerate the actions in the Academic Strategy innovative assessment and further integration of research, sustainability, global reach and community engagement in the curriculum.
ACTION 2.1.2. Map our research onto the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
https://www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/strategicplanning/UCC_2022_Delivering_a_Connected_University.pdf
UCC Academic Strategy (2018-2022)
Priority One: Developing a Connected Curriculum.
The Academic Strategy envisages the enhancing and building of connections to provide curricular coherence and to enhance the student and staff experience. Six components have been identified as comprising the Connected Curriculum at UCC, namely research-based teaching, employability, sustainability, inter- and transdisciplinarity, global reach, civic and community engagement. This priority seeks to surface good practice and provide inspiration and tools to support staff to integrate the distinct components of the Connected Curriculum framework in their teaching. The implementation of the Connected Curriculum will ensure that these connected experiences are articulated and visible in the course descriptions and learning outcomes.
https://www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/regsa/dpr/academicstrategy/AcademicStrategy2018-2022.pdf
UCC Sustainability Strategy (2016)
• To understand and document the environmental or sustainability content of
current academic programmes and curriculum;
• To promote, increase and raise awareness of current programmes with
environmental or sustainability content across all four colleges;
• To encourage the active participation in non-formal sustainability education in
particular the Green Campus initiative;
• To encourage and support the development of sustainability literacy within
teaching and learning;
• To capitalise on the diverse nature of student population to increase students’
knowledge of global sustainability issues;
• Where appropriate, sustainability to be taken into account in discussions
leading to course approval.
UCC Research & Innovation Strategic Plan (2016-2021) Seeks to align research with the SDGs
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
UCC Sustainability Strategy
• To increase awareness and facilitate greater engagement of the University’s
students and staff on sustainability issues;
• To encourage, support and promote initiatives for students and staff to take
responsible environmental and sustainability actions through behavioural and
practice change;
• To retain the University’s ‘Green Flag’ and maintain its position as a leader in
the Green Campus community;
• To maintain and improve the University’s position in the world Green Metrics
and/or other sustainability rankings systems for Higher Level Institutes;
• To facilitate and support voluntary student and staff environmental and
sustainability relevant organisations and initiatives;
• To further engage with the Students Union, the Societies Guild and individual
societies around this issue.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
UCC Sustainability Strategy (2016) sets out sustainability Strategic Aims, Objectives and Key Performance indicators for institutional operations including Energy, Water, Climate, Commuting & Travel, Biodiversity & Landscape, Waste, Food.
Please see the Sustainability Strategy for full details.
In 2020 UCC produced a water stewardship charter with 12 key action to reduce water consumption and waste.
An Annual Energy Plan is also published as part of the ISO50001 process.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
UCC Sustainability Strategy sets out Strategic Aims, Objectives & KPIs for institutional Procurement & Contracts.
Please see the Sustainability Strategy for full details.
The UCC Athena Swan Action Plan (2019-2023) outlines a series of actions, timelines and KPIs for enhancing Gender Equality at UCC. Please see the Plan for in dept details.
https://www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/edi/athenaswan/AthenaSWANUCCActionPlan2019-2023.pdf
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | Yes |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | No |
| SDG Accord | Yes |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | No |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | Yes |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
Principles of Responsible Investment.
Campus Engage Charter (Ireland).
Sustainable Solutions Development Network.
UNFCC Race to Zero
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Note that in 2021 in response to global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic UCC pivoted its strategic plan. Both the UCC Strategic Plan 2017-2022 and the Pivot UCC 2022 are available at she strategic plan weblink
Note that in 2021 in response to global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic UCC pivoted its strategic plan. Both the UCC Strategic Plan 2017-2022 and the Pivot UCC 2022 are available at she strategic plan weblink
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