Atlantic Technological University’s (ATU) Connemara campus has been awarded its third Green Flag, recognising the campus’s long-term commitment to sustainability and environmental leadership.
The award was presented by An Taisce, which operates the Green-Campus Programme, in recognition of the campus’s work in Climate Action. ATU Connemara previously received Green Flags for Waste in 2014 and Biodiversity in 2018.
ATU Connemara’s Green-Campus initiatives have involved students, staff, and community partners working together on biodiversity action, waste reduction, curriculum integration, circular economy projects, and climate awareness measures across the wider campus community.
Dr Dermot O’Donovan, Head of Department of Creative Education, said, “As a university, we have a responsibility to ensure that students graduate with sustainability literacy, skills, and knowledge to help them navigate and address some of the complexities of the modern world.”
“The Green-Campus Programme provides an excellent framework to ensure our students can engage with education for sustainability in a structured and meaningful way.”
Deirdre O’Carroll, Green Campus Manager at An Taisce, said, “Congratulations to everyone at ATU Connemara on the award of the Green Flag.”
“The assessment panel was impressed by the strength of your application, the engaging and welcoming campus environment, and the extensive work undertaken by students, staff, and community partners.”
“Your Green-Campus work demonstrates leadership in biodiversity action, waste reduction, curriculum integration, community collaboration, climate action, and environmental sustainability initiatives.”
Eugene Finnerty, Regional Manager at Connemara National Park, said, “On behalf of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, I would like to congratulate the team at ATU Connemara.”
“The work undertaken to achieve the Green Flag and promote Letterfrack as a centre of sustainability has been outstanding.”
Matthew O’Flynn, a student at ATU, said, “I joined the Green Campus team to help give something back. The industry I am entering works with a lot of natural materials, and we are taught about circular design and sustainability, so I saw it as a great initiative to become involved in.”
“It has opened my eyes to community involvement and taking on initiatives. We recently introduced reusable coffee cups in our canteen, which is a positive step towards reducing single-use plastics and becoming greener.”
The Green-Campus Programme has operated in Ireland since 2007 and promotes practical environmental education, campus-wide participation, and student-led sustainability initiatives.
The programme rewards long-term commitment to continuous environmental improvement rather than individual projects or technologies.
ATU Connemara is one of nineteen campuses and hospital sites in Ireland currently awarded the Green Flag.
