Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)

Situated in the heart of Dublin City , DIT have strived to create a sustainable existence. A research team in the college aim to link Irish and European organisations and academics with DIT staff interested in issues relating to sustainability. This is the first step by the DIT Sustainability Group to share ideas on the topic.

In contrast to UCD, which has a very practical sustainable policy, DIT is leading the field in terms of research and analysis of different types of sustainable living.  Yet through new ventures like their Grangegorman campus DIT are putting into practise what they have learned from the research project.

Sustainable living research in DIT is under a number of headings:

Building: A Strategic Energy Management Programme has seen the college produce annual energy savings (6,287,000 kWh) and environmental impact savings (1,967 Tonnes kgC02). The design of the buildings allow for savings in energy and a reduction in the environmental impact of energy used. DIT 's Grangegorman development will have state-of-the-art sustainable theories and practice in place from the planning stage, right through to the site’s completion. It is hoped that by putting sustainability high on the agenda when building the campus, that it will filter through to future users. 

Energy: DIT ’s energy research is closely linked with the Dublin Energy Lab, which conducts research across a range of disciplines with key research efforts organised into the themes of; electrical power, energy policy, low carbon buildings and solar energy.

Environment: The college's environmental health research includes climate change, air pollution and health.

University College Cork (UCC)

University College Cork have become the first university to be awarded An Taisce’s Green Campus award. The Green-Campus Programme is based on the successful Green-Schools Programme and provides an ideal way for fostering environmental awareness in a third level institution in a way that links to everyday activities and study, and ties in with operational requirements of a complex multi use facility.

The Green Campus Programme promotes a partnership approach to environmental management in third level institutions.  This is a modification of traditional environmental management systems which tend to be management driven. The Green-Campus programme identifies the campus as a community and places significant importance on the inclusion of all sectors of the campus community in its environmental management and enhancement.  The Green Campus Programme does not reward specific environmental projects or implementation of a new technology or other rather it rewards long term commitment to continuous improvement from the campus community in question. 

Through its implementation of the Green Campus Programme, UCC have made significant inroads on improving their environmental performance.

• As a result of the actions undertaken the overall costs of waste management have been reduced by 32% in 2008 compared to 2007 figures saving €118,972.32.

• The Overall tonnage is down 128.62 tonnes from 1342.07 to 1213.45.

• The cost per tonne is down €274.20 to €205.22 as the year average recycling rate is up from 21% to 53%.

• Currently piloting biodigestion of food waste on site

• Native tree planting

• Green Awareness Week

Awareness raising of waste generation, energy and water consumption through publically available Green Campus Website

 

Other Sustainable Community Initiatives

IRDA Energy

From September 2010 to February 2012 six island energy groups from Ireland and Denmark are participating in a joint project to produce energy action plans. The Irish islands of Clare Island , Árainn Mhór and Bere island are participating together with the islands of   Anholt, Fejø and Tunø in Denmark . The project is a training programme for the sustainable use of energy on small islands.   Energy groups from each island are being trained by experts in the field in putting together frameworks for the development of a sustainable energy strategy for their island.

Sustainable Clonakilty

Sustainable Clonakilty was developed by a group of people in the greater Clonakilty area as a forum for exchanging ideas and helping each other to reduce their carbon footprint.   Their guiding principles are :

·          Reduce wasteful use of scarce resources

·          Reduce use of polluting substances

·          Reduce negative impact on nature

·          Meet human needs fairly and efficiently.