Green-Campus Ireland community grows from strength to strength

Green-Campus Ireland fosters collaboration between campus communities and empowers staff, students and stakeholders to implement sustainability practices and address environmental challenges. Introduced in 2007, the programme has grown to 55 campuses with 22 awarded a Green Flag, including three teaching hospitals. 

By Valentina Stampa — Green-Campus Ireland

Green Campus Highlights: Summer to Autumn 2025 

It’s been a vibrant and eventful period for Green Campus — we’ve truly been buzzing with activity! 

June: Hospital Assessments and New Members 

We began the summer by assessing two of our registered teaching hospitals: Cork University Hospital (CUH) and St James’s Hospital, Dublin. We’re proud to share that: CUH renewed its Green Flag for the fourth consecutive time and St James’s Hospital earned its first Green Flag, marking a significant milestone as the largest acute academic teaching hospital in Ireland.  

We also welcomed Dundalk Institute of Technology into our growing Green-Campus community. 

July: Celebrations and Reunions 

In July, we celebrated St James’s achievement with a flag raising ceremony alongside hospital committee members, management, and staff. It was a joyful recognition of their commitment to sustainable healthcare.  

 
St James Hospital Flag Raising, Dublin, July 2025 

 We were also pleased to welcome University of Limerick back into the programme — a warm return to a valued member of our community. 

September: Global Engagement and SDG Week 

September was packed with impactful events: we participated in the FEE Eco Campus International 2025 Conference in Malaysia, which was themed; Transforming Higher Education for Climate Action: A Whole-System Approach. The conference marked an exciting moment for the international development of FEE EcoCampus as the EcoCampus programme was launched as a separate programme from Eco-Schools, making it one of main programmes delivered by FEE from January 2026. Presentations from An Taisce highlighted efforts to integrate ESD into Irish teacher training sites and also the wonderful work being done by Green Campus committees to support student leadership and student-led initiatives in Irish campuses.   

Eco Campus International Conference, Kuala Lumpur, September 2025 

Back home, SDGs Week saw University of Galway and ATU Sligo proudly raising their renewed Green Flags. 

 
University of Galway Flag Raising, Galway, September 2025 

 
 
ATU Sligo Flag Raising, Sligo, September 2025 (pictured in banner image) 

October: Climate Action Week and New Collaborations 

October opened with ATU Mayo celebrating its renewed Green Flag. 

ATU Mayo Flag Raising, Castlebar, October 2025 

We then celebrated Climate Action Week 2025 with enthusiasm across Ireland. Our campuses engaged in diverse activities, and we added our own celebration by assessing Bonnington Training Centre, part of Horizons (Cope Foundation) in Cork. We were delighted by their efforts and look forward to future collaboration. 

To close CAW25, we hosted a webinar on Preventing Light Pollution on Campus, led by Georgia MacMillan from Dark Sky Ireland — an insightful session offering practical tools for our campuses.  

We also celebrated the renewed Green Flag of TUS Tipperary’s Thurles and Clonmel campuses at a flag raising ceremony, sharing their continued success. 

TUS Tipperary Thurles and Clonmel Flag Raising, Thurles, October 2025 

Finally, we ended the month by welcoming two more new members to our programme: TUS Midlands Limerick campuses and Mayo University Hospital.  

We’re excited to support their sustainability journeys and see what the future holds for our ever-growing Green Campus community.