RCSI has signed a partnership agreement which will enhance environmental sustainability at the College, with the aim of achieving Green Campus accreditation from Ireland's oldest environmental organisations, An Taisce.

The Green Campus Programme encourages a partnership approach to environmental education, management and action in third level institutions and rewards long-term commitment to continuous improvement from the campus community.

Earlier this year, RCSI's Green Campus committee was formed and is now undertaking an environmental review that will advise an action plan. This will inform a green charter for RCSI, which are important prerequisites to qualify for the Green Campus Award, something only nine higher education institutions have in Ireland at the moment. 

The committee, which is chaired by Professor Brendan Kavanagh, Associate Professor of Human Biology, RCSI has representation from all the key staff and student groups throughout the College and has the backing of RCSI's Senior Management Team.

The agreement was signed on behalf of RCSI by Professor Hannah McGee (Dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, RCSI; and by Deirdre O'Carroll, Green Campus Manager of An Taisce; as well as Dublin City Council's Biodiversity Facilitator, Niamh Ní Cholmain.

Speaking on the programme, Professor Hannah McGee said, "I am proud to have signed this agreement with our colleagues from An Taisce, which will kick-start our drive to making all of RCSI's campuses more environmentally friendly. It is remarkable wonderful to see both our students and staff work together on a programme that they are passionate about and the considerable progress they have made in such a short time. My compliments go to the Foundation Year staff and other committee members who, along with Professor Kavanagh, brought the project to this point. We welcome the engagement with Dublin City Council staff on the project and look forward to seeing the programme come to fruition in the near future." 

The seven steps of An Taisce's Green Campus programme are: establishing a Green-Campus committee incorporating student and staff representatives, undertaking an environmental review, implementing an action plan, monitoring and evaluating actions carried out, linking the programme to curriculum work, informing and involving the campus and wider community and developing a green charter. 

Founded in 1948, An Taisce is one of Ireland's oldest and largest environmental organisations. An Taisce is an independent charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland's natural and built heritage. It is an independent charitable voice for the environment and for heritage issues. Their work is focused in three areas: advocacy, properties and education.