RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has been appointed as one of Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Champions for 2025-2027 by Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment.

The programme recognises organisations who are actively addressing the SDGs and aims to raise awareness of the goals while promoting engagement with sustainable development. It also focuses on how Ireland can achieve targets by 2030 by encouraging people across society to get involved.

Established in 2019, the SDG Champions Programme was developed to raise public awareness of the SDGs and to demonstrate, through the examples provided by the SDG Champions, that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The role of an SDG Champion is to act as an advocate and promoter of the SDGs and as a good practice example of how an organisation can contribute to achieving and integrate the SDGs into their work and activities.

Announcing the appointment, Minister O’Brien said: “The world faces huge challenges in achieving the SDGs, with only 18% of the goals currently on track globally. However, this year, as we mark the 70th anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the United Nations, we are committed to achieving the vision and ambition of Agenda 2030, a roadmap for a fairer, safer, more prosperous, and sustainable world. In fulfilling the ambition of the SDGs, we have made considerable progress, but more is needed, and faster, from all stakeholders – locally, nationally and internationally.

“Over 90 organisations applied to take part in the programme this year, demonstrating the continued commitment of Irish society to help achieve and promote the SDGs. Partnerships play a crucial role, and it is great to have such a diverse range of organisations working collectively towards a better future for everyone. The SDG Champions Programme recognises that everyone has a role to play, and everyone can contribute to achieving the SDGs.”

Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor, RCSI said: “RCSI recognises that health outcomes are shaped by social, environmental and economic factors and the university uses the SDGs as a framework for teaching, research, partnerships and campus operations.

“RCSI’s selection as an SDG Champion is testament to our commitment to the SDGs. Our community is dedicated to progressing sustainable development and the SDGs are at the heart of our institutional mission, informing our strategy and operations. Taking part in the SDG Champion Programme will further enable RCSI to amplify our leadership in sustainable, equitable healthcare.”

RCSI is ranked as the number one university in the world for ‘Good Health and Well-being’ in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2025, recognising the university’s ongoing work to improve health and well-being globally.

Through research, RCSI addresses global issues in global healthcare, from infectious disease to strengthening of health systems. Almost half (48%) of research outputs from 2024 align to one or more of the SDGs. All laboratories and teaching labs in RCSI have achieved My Green Lab certification, the first university in Ireland to reach full institutional coverage and embedding sustainable lab practice across our research.

RCSI’s international research partnerships address global challenges in health systems, water quality and resource constrained surgical care.

RCSI maintains strong partnerships with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and global collaboration with government, NGOs, industry and academia on sustainable healthcare practice.

The RCSI Green Campus initiative has continued to enhance sustainability on our campus. We achieved our second successive Green Flag in 2025, demonstrating our long-term commitment to sustainability and our target to become carbon neutral by 2050. The RCSI Sustainability and Climate Health committee have embedded the SDG in governance and strategic planning.

During its time as an SDG Champion, RCSI will deliver a focused programme of activity to raise awareness and accelerate action on the Sustainable Development Goals across healthcare, education, and the wider community. Priorities will include advancing sustainable surgery through the development of a Green Theatre Accreditation Scheme, alongside national engagement through public lectures, professional forums, and expanded partnerships. RCSI will also strengthen education and training in sustainability, support greater public and youth engagement with the SDGs, and enhance internal systems to track progress and embed sustainable practice across the University.