RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has achieved its second successive Green Flag demonstrating the university’s long-term commitment to enhancing sustainability.

The Green Campus programme works to encourage higher education institutions to take an integrated approach to environmental action, education, and management. It motivates these institutions to incorporate sustainability initiatives into all areas of campus life and encourages both students and staff to be more environmentally conscious.

The programme rewards long-term commitments to sustainability and the continued involvement of the campus community. Out of the fifty-four institutions currently registered on the green Campus programme, only 21 have been successful in receiving a Green Flag. Thanks to RCSI’s ongoing dedication to on-campus sustainability and climate action, the university was awarded its second Green Flag this month.

Bryan Sheils, Head of Campus Services at RCSI and Chair of the Sustainability Climate Committee, expressed his pride in the achievement: “We have worked hard to maintain a sustainable and environmentally conscious academic environment at RCSI. Our campus buildings are more than just places of learning; they are vibrant communities, and it is important to ensure these spaces reflect our commitment to environmental leadership and sustainability. Being awarded our second Green Flag is a great endorsement from An Taisce.”

RCSI’s commitment to climate action was reflected in some key strengths highlighted by the Green Campus assessment panel. These include:

• RCSI’s commitment to the My Green Labs initiative
• Targets to reach the ISO 50001 accreditation and to ensure all new builds exceed European energy standards
• Sustainability projects from the Student Engagement and Partnership (StEP) programme
• No smoking or vaping on campus
• A reduction in waste including introducing no single use cups or plastic bottles and segregated waste bins
• Leading efforts to make surgery more environmentally friendly

A key priority in achieving this Green Flag was to focus on making a meaningful contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a centre of health sciences education and research, RCSI has a responsibility to enhance human health and wellbeing, and our campus community has remained steadfast in fostering an environment of positive and lasting change. Our focus on the SDGs was an important part of renewing our Green Flag and is reflected in our commitment to sustainable and environmentally conscious practices across the university.

Welcoming the award, Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor, RCSI, said: “The renewal of the prestigious Green Flag is the result of the continued dedication of the Green Campus Committee, who have worked collaboratively with groups across our campus community to ensure that sustainability remained at the forefront of daily campus life.”

Cathy Baxter, the Education and Community Action Director in An Taisce, also added: "It is evident that the Green Campus programme is supported from the top down and across all sectors of RCSI. This level of support is critical if the programme is to continue to grow and develop over the coming years. The Green Flag is not the end goal: it is merely a milestone along a journey towards sustainable living".

The achievement of a second Green Flag provides further motivation to continue the work aligned with RCSI’s Climate Action Roadmap, which outlines a framework to achieve net zero carbon by 2050.

Learn more about RCSI's approach to sustainability and climate health.