Our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

3. Good health and well-being

  • #1 in the world in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025
  • Strong health research: 12,622 publications with 431,665 views (Source:SciVal 2015-2024)
  • Top-performing medical school in Ireland in the international Planetary Health Report Card for third consecutive year
  • WHO designated RCSI Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery as Collaborating Centre to guide global nurse and midwife education
  • SURGhub reached a record 19,000 healthcare workers across 190 countries
  • FutureNeuro short film addressed the impact of climate change on brain health

4. Quality education

  • New CPD course to enable health professionals to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare
  • New €32 million Education and Research Centre at Connolly Hospital
  • Opened next-generation laboratories to power the future of pharmacy and biomolecular sciences
  • Sexual health literacy programme for teenagers ‘Debunking the Myths’ won RCSI Education Innovation Award 2025
  • 35,500 health professions alumni across 108 countries

5. Gender equality

  • PROGRESS Fellowship for Women in Surgery celebrates its seventh year
  • Department of Physiology and Medical Physics renewed their Bronze Athena Swan Award
  • School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences received a Silver Athena Swan Award
  • RCSI won Inclusive Champion category at the EU Awards for Gender Equality

7. Affordable and clean energy

  • 100% green electricity procured
  • Completed our first Energy Performance Contract:
    • 40% reduction in energy use (gas)
    • 27% reduction in electrical energy use
    • 300 tonne reduction in carbon emissions
    • Achieved ISO 50001 certification
  • Second Green Flag awarded in recognition of continuous commitment to sustainability

8. Decent work and economic growth

  • Awarded Autism Friendly HEI Candidate Badge by AsIAm
  • Named in the 2025 Sunday Times Best Places to Work

10. Reduced inequalities

  • RCSI-led report called for strengthening of the community voice and national policy change to reduce health inequalities in Dublin city
  • RCSI research revealed stark inequalities in smoking prevalence in Ireland
  • Collaboration with Sláintecare to improve access to free drinking water in Dublin communities
  • Updated Race Equality Action Plan underpins RCSI’s commitment to equality and inclusivity
  • Hosted a Human Trafficking Summit to examine the role of healthcare professionals in identifying and supporting victims of human trafficking
  • 12% of school leaver places reserved for the HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) and DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) schemes

11. Sustainable cities and communities

  • Unveiled a new artwork by Joe Caslin to celebrate inspiring RCSI Alumni
  • Announced Ireland’s first health gallery for new building at 118 St Stephen’s Green
  • Hosted the Connecting Artists 2025 Exhibition
  • 19,993 views of RCSI MyHealth series videos

12. Responsible consumption and production

  • Zero to landfill policy for waste
  • No paper cups available on campus
  • No single-use plastic in our cafés
  • RCSI Enviro Soc held Annual Clothing Drive

13. Climate action

  • Partnered on pioneering project to develop life-saving early warning system for extreme weather events
  • Received EPA funding for new study examining the public health impact of air pollution
  • Worked towards sustainability targets in our Climate Action Roadmap
  • Achieved My Green Lab Certification across all laboratories

17. Partnerships for the goals

  • 5,176 collaborating international research institutions worldwide (Source: SciVal 2015– 2024)
  • Became a member of Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)
  • Launched third annual clinical fellowship for surgical trainees and medical professionals with Operation Childlife
  • Hosted Irish Global Health Network conference
  • Worked closely with the HSE to train healthcare professionals, support national health strategies and develop public health programmes