University College Cork (UCC) has become the first third level institution worldwide to be recommended for ISO 50001 Standard (Energy Management Systems). ISO 50001 is an international standard that enables organisations to establish the systems and processes necessary to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use, and consumption.
UCC was the first third level institution to implement this internationally recognised standard since it was launched just over four months ago. UCC is also the first public sector body in Ireland to be recommended for certification to ISO 50001. Implementation of this standard can lead to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy cost, and other related environmental impacts, through systematic management of energy.
The university, which has 2,740 staff and 20,000 students, has a long track record in energy management and has been particularly successful in winning grant support from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support energy saving initiatives. UCC currently has projects involving lighting, metering, heat recovery, ventilation, photovoltaics and wind energy. under way across the campus.
Enerit software was used to allow rapid implementation of ISO 50001. This standard became internationally recognised in June 2011 and promises to reach over 500,000 organisations worldwide.
The ISO 50001 award to UCC follows on the award of the world’s first Green Campus Flag for third level institutions by An Taisce and the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) in 2010.