UMT Sustainability Group

UMT Sustainability Group Meeting Schedule 2025/2026

UMT SUS Submission Form

Purpose and function

Sustainability is the most pressing and complex challenge of our time. The UN Sustainable Development Goals lay out an agenda for targeted action across, environment, society, economy and governance to move us towards a more sustainable relationship with nature and a fairer society for all. Transitioning towards sustainability will require innovative solutions and transformative change.

UCD aims to be a thought and action leader in sustainability. The UMT Sustainability Group shall be responsible for leading sustainability in UCD, for driving sustainability initiatives and for making recommendations to the University Management Team (UMT) on all matters relating to sustainability.

The group is also constituted to serve as UCD’s Green Team as required by law under the Climate Action Plan, with a brief to:

i) influence colleagues to commit to working and living sustainably;

ii) influence decision making so that climate and environmental criteria are to the fore.

Terms of Reference

• To oversee and provide guidance and direction for the achievement of sustainability
  objectives identified in the University Strategic Plan, including through working with the VP for Sustainability on the establishment and implementation of a University Sustainability Strategy;
• After approval of the strategy by UMT, the VP Sustainability will make decisions in relation to its implementation in consultation with the Sustainability Group other than where there are substantial resource or other implications for UCD, in which cases recommendations will be referred to UMT for decision;
• To highlight, communicate and advise UMT on developments in National, European and Global sustainability legislation and policy so that the necessary steps can be taken to incorporate such developments, as appropriate, into the University;
• To make recommendations to UMT for the enhancement of sustainability at the University and suggest action measures to prevent any shortcomings in the area;
• To ensure the promotion, communication, and mainstreaming of sustainability within and outside UCD and ensure that appropriate and effective training is provided at governance, management, faculty, staff, and student levels;
• To contribute to submissions in relation to university rankings, particularly those related specifically to sustainability;
• To consider and respond to issues referred to the Group by the UMT.

Composition

As UCD’s Green Team, the group will be chaired by the VP for Sustainability and will include representation in respect of the following:

• Building Management – Director of Campus Development, Energy and Sustainability
• Human Resources – Chief People Officer or nominee
• Learning and Development – Registrar or nominee
• Finance – Bursar or nominee
• Technical Support – a Chief Technical Officer

Additional members will represent:

• Research – VP for Research Innovation and Impact or nominee
• Partnership – VP for Strategy and External Engagement
• Students – UCD Students’ Union President or nominee
• Sustainability Unit – Sustainability Manager

The Chair may invite other attendees to present or report on individual items as required.

Group administrative support

The Group will be supported by members of the UCD Sustainability Unit.

Conduct of business

• The Group shall meet at least four times a year;
• The meetings shall be convened by the Chair with a minimum of seven days’ notice of a meeting;
• The members of the Group may nominate others to attend meetings on their behalf if necessary and appropriate.

Reporting responsibility

The Sustainability Group will submit an annual report to UMT on the progress of the Group and an annual statement of risk relating to all areas within the Group’s ambit.  Interim reports on specific topics will be provided as appropriate.

UMT Sustainability Group Terms of Reference