Green Gown Awards UK & Ireland 2025 finals
TU Dublin is a finalist across five categories in the Green Gown Awards UK & Ireland 2025, and is one of only two higher education institutions in the Republic of Ireland to be a finalist among the 112 inspiring finalists. Of the 73 institutions shortlisted, TU Dublin and University of Sunderland are tied with the most nominations at five nominated awards each.
Applications for the awards are coordinated and supported by TU Dublin's Sustainability Education Team, and together with finalists, they are now working on their stage 2 applications with judging taking place at a ceremony on 06 November in the Library of Birmingham.
| Award Category | Project | School / area | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting with Influence | TU Dublin Climate Action Roadmap | TU Dublin | Rosie Webb, Sustainability |
| Sustainability Champion Student | Charlie Beaudelot | TU Dublin Students Union (SU) | Charlie Beaudelot, TU Dublin Students Union (SU), Part Time Officer |
| Student Engagement | Refridge Fighting Food Waste, Feeding Student Futures, Sustainable Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) | Green-Campus and Student Volunteering | School of Computer Science student, Bohdan Yeriemienko |
| Benefitting Society | Patchwork Pedagogies for a Sustainable World, Sustainable Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) | School of Art and Design Lead | Artist and Lecturer Glenn Loughran |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Sustainability | TrailblazHER™, at TU Dublin Empowering Women, Transforming Tomorrow Sustainable Goal 5 (Gender Equality) | Enterprise Engagement, Partnerships, TU Dublin | Aoife Blowick, Enterprise Engagement |
About the projects
TU Dublin Climate Action Roadmap
TU Dublin is committed to urgent climate action, aiming for carbon neutrality (Scope 1 & 2) by 2040 and Net Zero across all operations by 2050. Central to this goal is the accurate measurement, reporting, and use of data to guide action. The annual Climate Action Report is submitted to the University Sustainability Council, Executive Team, Governing Body, and Government. It outlines the path to Net Zero, informs key decisions, and shapes planning and investment. The Climate Action Roadmap also supports behaviour change across the campus community in areas like transport, waste, catering, and resource use. It stands as a model for how detailed, actionable reporting can drive meaningful, lasting change.
Sustainability Champion Student – Charlie Beaudelot
Charlie Beaudelot is a passionate sustainability leader driving student-led action on and off campus. As co-Manager of TU Dublin’s SVP Sustainable Food Bank, Charlie grew the volunteer team from 6 to 19 and increased student engagement from 272 to 665 in one semester. The initiative supported over 800 students and diverted 2,000kg of food from landfill, while promoting composting. Charlie also launched TU Dublin’s first Swap Shop, encouraging sustainable fashion, and introduced the Recycle to Revive scheme, linking Ireland’s ReTurn deposit system with CPR training access. As Student Sustainability Champion, they chaired the first Youth Climate Panel and guided hundreds of students on sustainability. Beyond campus, Charlie amplifies youth voices through the National Youth Council of Ireland and SpunOut, bringing sustainability to national and international platforms like the Shared Island Forum.
Patchwork Pedagogies for a Sustainable World
The BA Visual Art and MA Art and Environment (2020–25) are two distinctive art programmes based across the West Cork Islands, Ireland. Led by Dr Glenn Loughran and delivered by TU Dublin in partnership with Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre and Sherkin Island Development Society, these courses foster deep economic, environmental, and cultural ties with island communities. Over 25 years, they’ve enabled more than 130 adult learners, many without other educational access, to graduate. Contributing around €60,000 annually to the winter economy, the programmes have helped rebrand the islands as 'islands of the arts,' drawing tourism through festivals. Despite limited resources, both courses have earned national student awards and remain the only formal arts degrees delivered entirely on offshore islands in Europe.
Refridge Fighting Food Waste, Feeding Student Futures
ReFridge is a student-led food redistribution initiative tackling food waste and student hunger on Irish campuses. Launched at TU Dublin, it partners with FoodCloud to collect surplus food and provide nutritious, affordable meals to students in need. In under a year, ReFridge has saved over 2,000 kg of food, prevented 3,200 kg of CO₂ emissions, and supported more than 1,000 students. Built on collaboration with staff, students, and partners like the SVP Society, it fosters sustainability through volunteering, awareness campaigns, and events. A custom app is in development, making ReFridge a scalable model for student-driven climate and social impact.
TrailblazHER™ at TU Dublin Empowering Women, Transforming Tomorrow
TrailblazHER™ is a bold, future-focused initiative advancing gender equity through action. Launched in March 2024 with €1.3M raised to date, it empowers women and girls across disciplines and sectors through mentorship, scholarships, innovation workshops, launchpads, and second-level school programmes. Free and open to all, TrailblazHER™ is rooted in an inclusive, intersectional approach that reflects the full diversity of women’s experiences. Backed by strong industry and community partnerships, it fosters a vibrant community of change-makers driving systemic change. Aligned with key United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality, and also SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, TrailblazHER™ is sparking conversations, building opportunities, and redefining success, empowering women and girls to lead the future, today.
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The Green Gown Awards has been awarding sustainability excellence since 2004, recognising the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges internationally and regionally. The Green Gown Awards are administered by The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education (EAUC) of which TU Dublin is a member of.
The Green Gown Awards 2025 will take place at a ceremony in November, following the EAUC conference. The event will announce the winners and celebrate the 21st anniversary of the awards.
Best of luck to all finalists!