Green week 2025 launches with new sustainable accreditation

Posted on: 11 March 2025

Trinity was among a group of seven universities to take part in an international pilot of the Responsible Futures programme, delivered by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK). Having been in place since 2015 across the UK, an international pilot programme was launched in 2023, in which Trinity was invited to participate. To date, over 43 third-level institutions across the UK and ten globally have joined Responsible Futures. Collectively, they represent over 1,100,000 students.

As part of the accreditation process, each Responsible Futures Partnership must undergo a two-day student-led audit to determine the score and accreditation level, and conduct research on the impact of Responsible Futures. Trinity’s key achievements that led to accreditation were:   

1. Implementing the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) module within Trinity Business School as compulsory. Associate Professor Norah Campbell is delivering this module to almost 600 first-year students.
2. Trinity’s first ever Citizens’ Assembly on ESD, organised by the Students Union Environmental Officer and the ESD Fellows to bring together students and staff to share their thoughts on topics related to sustainability such as changemaking, activism, education, inclusion, and the role of the creative arts in addressing ESD challenges.
3. Trinity’s work on the informal curriculum. The University was noted for implementing creative means of driving sustainable behaviour change with actions such as renaming the Berkely Library and the Schrödinger Lecture Theatre into the Eavan Boland Library and Physics Lecture Theatre. These were noted as significant examples of efforts to uphold institutional values of inclusivity.
4. The extensive consultation with staff and students to develop Trinity’s Sustainability Strategy. Almost 400 students, staff and members of the wider community were engaged in consultations to gather feedback for the strategy. 

Building on these achievements and with Green Week ahead, there are several events to celebrate, engage and inform the wider community. This year carries on the theme of “Healthy Planet, Healthy People,” placing emphasis on the inextricable links between planetary and human health. This is brought to life in many ways during the week, for example the Healthy Trinity sponsored Active Hope workshop, which will delve into climate change and its effects on mental health.

Yesterday, VP for Biodiversity and Climate Action Jane Stout welcomed Adjunct Professor for Climate Justice Mary Robinson for a Q&A with students who took part in the Responsible Futures audit, students who observed the UN Climate Conference (COP), members of the Green Campus Committee and others involved in sustainability around campus.  When asked what the biggest leadership challenges she had faced and what advice she would give aspiring female leaders today she gave an example from her work on promoting reproductive freedom for women:

“What I felt was, how important it was to be prepared to pay a price, that was the real lesson to me, that I needed to not try and be popular all the time. Sometimes it is more important to stay true to what you believe.” 

The Sustainability Leadership Awards will be held on Wednesday to acknowledge the meaningful work of staff and students who have shown leadership in education, research, operations and in their community. This year we received a record number of nominations, showing the growing momentum of sustainability in Trinity.  The line-up this year also includes events like the talk with ‘de-influencer’ Shannen Healy, a free cycle clinic, careers panel, repairs café, vegan samples at the Forum, a photo competition and more.

Vice President for Biodiversity and Climate Action Jane Stout says “"Green Week brings us together and really shows how sustainability is embedded in everything we do in Trinity. Sustainability is too big for one person, one department, one institution – we need each other, and working together brings positive change. This week we take stock and celebrate the accomplishments of our community, hopefully spark new ideas and strengthen our common goal of working together for the urgent transformational changes that are needed for people and planet.”

We hope to see you during the week!

Find the full list of events on the Sustainability Events calendar here. 

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