The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Our commitment to the SDGs

At University of Galway, we recognise the critical role that universities must play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We recognise that the SDGs are the blueprint for a sustainable future and we are committed to the SDGs at an institutional level. Delivering sustainable development is central to our Strategic Plan. The Plan presents sustainability as one of four pillars with ten associated flagship actions across the university mission. The purpose of our University of Galway Climate Action and Sustainability Policy is to lead the transition to a sustainable future by embedding the SDGs, into all our major efforts, including education, research, leadership, professional support services, operations and engagement activities. 

Collaboration and influencing policy

We are actively collaborating with both government and non-governmental agencies to drive policy and progress towards achieving the SDGs. For example, University of Galway was designated as a National SDG Champion for 2023-24 by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. We are the first University in Ireland to hold this honour and as part of our Champion tenure we hosted the Government of Ireland national SDG Champions on campus for a day of discussion and SDG Champions Dialogue on the themes of Climate Action (SDG 13) and Partnerships (SDG17).

University of Galway has provided input into national government SDG policy development - for example, University of Galway features as a case study in Ireland's Second National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals 2022-2024 (see p157, case study 20). Together we are working to implement impactful solutions and strategies that promote sustainable development across multiple sectors.

Partnerships 

Find below examples of partnerships the University of Galway is currently involved in, providing opportunities for: learning and knowledge exchange; joint research; global benchmarking; and best practice sharing - all with the common aim of advancing progress on the SDGs. 

SDG Champion & SDG Ambassador

Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking

The University of Galway was ranked 47th in the world (no. 1 in Ireland) in the 6th annual THE IMPACT Rankings, published June 2024, out of 1,963 institutions from 125 countries across the world. We also achieved a top 50 rank in five of the individual SDGs and a global rank in a further six individual SDGs - see more on University of Galway's SDG Ranking results here.

Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

University of Galway is a member of SDSN Ireland.  Established in 2023, SDSN Ireland mobilises its members in Ireland and leverages their strengths to help realise the SDGs. As an SDSN Ireland member, the University of Galway can influence SDG policy by collaborating with government bodies and NGO's to co-develop sustainability strategies and policies. SDSN fosters dialogue between researchers, policy makers and practioners to ensure evidence based policy decisions. Other key focus areas include: supporting capacity building for local implementation of SDGs (including resources, workshops, and training to upskill teaching staff on Education for Sustainable Development); raising SDGs awareness building on initiatives undertaken by the host institutions; localising the SDGs but also engaging with high-level stakeholders (for example, through the collaboration on Ireland’s Voluntary National Review); and building wider partnerships and research collaborations aimed at co-developing and co-creating solutions for the SDGs with a North-South focus. 

SDG Accord

University of Galway is a signatory to the SDG Accord, demonstrating our commitment at an institutional level to embed the SDGs into our education, research, leadership, operations, administration and engagement activities;  and to share our learning. By signing the SDG Accord we demonstrate our active participation in a global movement designed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, share best practises and co-create solutions for addressing shared sustainability challenges.

As an SDG Accord signatory institution, each year we submit an SDG Accord survey report and case studies, thereby contributing to a global database of SDG progress in higher education.  For example, the Annual SDG Accord Report 2024 analyses data from 184 institutions across 40 countries to identify trends in progressing the Global Goals across the sector. Sharing data through the survey and case studies is a collaborative way to highlight successful initiatives and practises. A University of Galway quote and case study feature in the 2024 report. Read more here.

Coalition 2030

University of Galway is a member of the Coalition 2030; an alliance of over 60 leading international and local civil society organisations working towards upholding Ireland's commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030, both in Ireland and Internationally. The coalition is made up of international and domestic NGOs along with youth organisations, environmental groups, academics, and trade unions. Coalition 2030 members collaborate in advocacy for effective implementation of the SDGs and to monitor the Irish government’s compliance with its responsibilities as a signatory to the plan.

United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI)

University of Galway is a member of United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI). UNAI is an initiative that aligns institutions of higher education with the United Nations in supporting and contributing to the realisation of United Nations goals and mandates, including the promotion and protection of human rights, access to education, sustainability and conflict resolution. UNAI is informed by a commitment to support and advance ten basic principles.  You can read about the principles here

Global Challenges University Alliance

University of Galway is a member of the Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA), which is an initiative that gathers the leading universities on every continent around issues of food security, bio-energy, sustainable urban development and climate. The partner universities work together to gather greater knowledge and translate knowledge into relevant action, to meet the global SDG challenges.

Collaborations with NGOs

University of Galway collaborates with a wide variety of NGOs to tackle the SDGs. For example:

• Student volunteering: University of Galway's ALIVE student volunteering initiative aligns with the SDGs. Specifically, "Glassary" is a student volunteering initiative, which won a Global Citizenship Award in 2023, and works with charities and other NGOs to reduce waste on campus while supporting local community and voluntary organisation's - a circular economy exemplar project. This year, 408 University of Galway students were awarded the President’s Award for Volunteering. Volunteering activities ranged from supporting University of Galway clubs and societies, fundraising for local community groups (for example, Galway Simon Community and Coldvember) and contributing to the work of local community organisations (for example, Macnas, Just 3, Enable Ireland, and Jigsaw Galway). Community partners included Children in Hospital Ireland, Galway Youth Climate Assembly, COPE Galway, and Galway Rape Crisis Centre, among many others.
• Research: University of Galway partners with NGOs to progress the SDGs through research programmes. For example, University of Galway is a founding member of the Irish Forum for International Agricultural Development (IFIAD). Working with NGO's like Trocaire, Concern Worldwide, Self Help Africa and Irish Aid; the network offers University of Galway an opportunity to work with NGOs to expand its research to tackle global issues like food security and sustainable agriculture. Network members collaborate to strengthen the research-policy-practice interface to agriculture-driven poverty reduction in developing countries. For further information about this NGO centred research collaboration, see 'Sharing Knowledge' and 'Enhancing Research' under the heading Our Approach here 
• Development of educational resources: For SDG Week 2023, the University of Galway J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics developed a poster exhibition (see here for the compiled posters). These educational resources were based on collaborations with NGOs such as An Mheitheal Rothar (bike workshop), Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Economic and Social Research Institute, Active Retirement Ireland, AGE Platform Europe, World Health Organisation, Genio, Chambers Ireland and Foróige.

University of Galway research supporting the UN SDGs

As the research community at University of Galway continues to make significant contributions to achieving the goals of sustainable development, it is important that we recognise and record this work.

If you are undertaking research at University of Galway visit this page

Learn more about research and sustainability at University of Galway here.

J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics SDG Mapping project

The J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Integration Mapping project can help you to find what faculty in the School are doing in research, teaching and engagement that aligns with the SDGs at target level. 

Search by SDG, by target, by department, by keyword – or for an academic whose name you already know.

https://sdg.cairnes.universityofgalway.ie/

SDG Trail

T‌he University of Galway SDG Trail is a walkable route that aims to showcase our efforts at developing the campus as a living lab for best practice in embedding the SDGs. By walking the trail you can learn about the 17 SDGs and gain insights into the breadth of projects and initiatives taking place across the University that are progressing the SDGs. At each point, you will learn about that goal, as well as what we are doing at University of Galway to work towards achieving it. The SDG Trail demonstrates that action is needed at local, national and international level to achieve the SDGs. Follow the trail here.

SDG Week

For the past two years, we have organised an SDG Week to advocate and promote the SDGs, to raise awareness internally among our community of over 20,000 students and staff and to demonstrate by example that everyone can make a contribution to the UN SDGs. SDG week belongs to everyone and is open to all, including students, staff and community partners. Find out more here.