深夜亚洲福利久久

UCC is first in Europe to achieve gold STAR rating from AASHE

13 Feb 2019

深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork has become the first institution outside of North America to achieve a gold star rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

UCC now joins Princeton, Cornell and UC Berkeley in receiving the highest standard, Gold 鈥楽ustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System鈥� (STARS) for excellence in sustainability.

Already the first university in the world to be awarded a Green Flag from the Foundation of Environmental Education initially in 2007, the UCC campus has been blazing a sustainability trail for over 10 years now to develop and achieve world-class Green Campus initiatives. UCC was the world鈥檚 first university to to achieve ISO50001 for Energy Management and has signed the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment. Other proactive environmental initiatives include the Green Library campaign, launching of Ireland鈥檚 first single-use disposable free caf茅, the introduction of a pollinator strategy and several beehives on campus, a KSG Catering farm to fork programme, and many other sustainability initiatives. UCC was also the first Higher Education Institution in the country to achieve its 2020 public sector energy efficiency targets, three years ahead of schedule.

Speaking at the announcement of UCC鈥檚 Gold STARS award, UCC Deputy President and Registrar Professor John O鈥橦alloran said, 鈥淲e are thrilled that we have received this accolade for our student-led, research-informed, practice focussed sustainability agenda at UCC. This accolade speaks to the priority UCC places on sustainability to enable our students and staff meet the global challenges of the 21^st&苍产蝉辫;肠别苍迟耻谤测.鈥�

With more than 800 participants in 30 countries, AASHE鈥檚 STARS programme is the most widely recognised framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to an institution鈥檚 sustainability performance. The STARS programme assesses institutions across academics, engagement, operations and governance.  It includes direct operational impact on the environment, how sustainable development is included in teaching and research activities, and an institution鈥檚 performance in regard to equality and well-being of staff and students.

鈥淭he STARS gold rating highlights more than ten years of work in engaging students and staff in sustainability through the Green Campus programme.  Embarking on the AASHE programme represents a commitment from UCC to put sustainability and care for the environment at the core of its activities鈥� said the 深夜亚洲福利久久鈥檚 Sustainability Officer Maria Kirrane.

鈥淭he AASHE STARS team is delighted that 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork has earned a STARS Gold Rating for its sustainability performance. The UCC Green Campus Programme and Green Forum have clearly made great progress in implementing the university鈥檚 ambitious sustainability strategy. 鈥淲e are excited to recognise UCC鈥檚 many achievements and share its ongoing journey through STARS,鈥� said Chris Pelton, AASHE STARS Programme Manager.

Mark Poland, UCC鈥檚 Director of Buildings and Estates and Green Forum co-chair added, 鈥淯CC is committed to continually improving its environmental performance and engaging its entire community of students and staff in these efforts.鈥�

Larger than the average Irish town, UCC鈥檚 green initiatives have been adopted by staff, students and visitors to the campus, and exemplify collaboration and a real willingness to protect our world and be a truly sustainable campus.  The commitment to green policies and activities from senior management through to students, working with a resourced and effective sustainability team, has enabled UCC to become a global leader in sustainability, as acknowledged by this latest award from AASHE.