Through its Sustainable Environment Strategy and Plan DBS is becoming a force for positive change in terms of impact on the environment and sustainability, thereby creating and contributing to a legacy for others. This also directly contributes to the company objective of being sustainable and to the DBS vision of making a difference.
The Sustainability Environmental Group was established in 2020 with a view to establishing a sustainability charter and key performance indicators to raise awareness and apply for the Green Flag. Subsequently, the Green Campus Society was also established consisting of staff and students and the results are showcased in the Sustainability week - 22nd of February 2021 as outlined in the section below.
Donal Casey
Rita Day
Lori Johnston
Tony Kenny
Sarah Sharkey
Marta Piasentin
Eddie Ormonde
Francisca Knight - Chair
Macdara OMaolbhuaidh - Secretary
The DBS Sustainable Environment Group was formed through a mixture of volunteer members and members who have a vested interest in the DBS Sustainable Environment policy.
The first meeting took place on 14th February 2020. Francisca Knight was voted Chairperson and Macdara OMaolbhuaidh was voted as the Secretary by the members of the group.
In August 2020 the SLT approved a 3-year Plan which can be viewed below.
DBS Sustainable Environment Group Proposal
Action
|
Status for Academic Year 2021/2022
|
| Study Rooms |
Ongoing |
| Single-Use Plastic |
Single-use plastic bottles have been removed from vending machines and Restaurant |
| Student Switch-Off Policy |
To be implemented September 2021 |
| Carbon Offset Calculator |
To be implemented September 2021 |
| Biodiversity |
Ongoing review by Green Campus Committee |
| Financial Planning & Capital Projects |
Ongoing policy |
| Non-Recyclable Waste |
Ongoing review |
| Printing |
Reviewing policy on printing |
| Recycling |
Introduced segregated recycling bins across the college |
| Strategic Student Sustainability Policy |
To be implemented September 2021 |
| Education |
Ongoing review alongside programmatic review |
| Business Initiatives |
Ongoing |
| An Taisce Green Campus Award Programme |
Under review by An Taisce. Active participation in programme since September 2020. |
Green Campus Committee
As part of the Plan developed by the Sustainable Environment Group, DBS has enrolled in the An Taisce Green Campus Programme. A Green Campus Committee consisting of 3 students from the Sustainability Society and 3 staff from the Sustainable Environment Group has been formed to engage in the 7-step programme. Committee member and Journalism student Clare O'Beara has written about the committee and the progress that is being made here.
Green Campus Committee Members
Orla O’Brien (Chair)
Clare O'Beara
Anoop Kannottukalathil Ananthan
Rita Day
Donal Casey
Macdara Ó Maolbhuaidh (Secretary)