St James’s Hospital in Dublin, Ireland’s largest acute academic teaching hospital, has been honoured with the internationally recognised Green Flag – a symbol of its long-term commitment to environmental sustainability.

The award comes under the Green Campus Programme, run by An Taisce, which supports institutions in embedding sustainable practices across their operations.

Since joining the programme in 2018, St James’s has followed the initiative’s seven-step framework, targeting key environmental areas such as transport, energy, water, and waste.

The result has been a transformation in how the hospital manages its environmental impact across its large, complex site.

The hospital has improved its energy efficiency by 34%, thanks to initiatives such as LED lighting upgrades, high-efficiency pumps, and the installation of a combined heat and power plant.

This has led to a corresponding 34% reduction in energy-related carbon emissions.

Water usage has also dropped by an impressive 42% through focused monitoring and control efforts.

In parallel, there’s been a marked shift in how staff commute to work, with a rise in sustainable travel such as cycling and public transport.

Sustainability Manager Barry McKenna, who led the project, noted: “The staff buy-in has been outstanding with a major change in commuting behaviour, significant improvement in waste management, and reduction in water consumption...

“One survey revealed that clinical waste declined by 68%, while general waste decreased by 104%.”

Following a comprehensive assessment, the Green Campus panel visited St James’s, meeting with Facilities Management and Green Teams across the hospital.

Assessors commended the hospital’s achievements and emphasised the inspiration it offers to other acute teaching facilities.

Cathy Baxter of An Taisce remarked: “It is evident that the Green Campus programme is supported from the top down and across all sectors of the hospital.”

Board member Aideen Cardiff added: “Earning the Green Flag is the culmination of years of dedication and teamwork... we remain committed to driving further improvements.”

Prof Mary Day, CEO, concluded: “This Green Flag is more than a symbol of sustainability—it reflects our deep commitment to greener practices... This is only the beginning of our sustainability journey.”

Photo: Valentina Stampa, An Taisce and Prof. Mary Day, CEO, St James’s Hospital, pictured with members of St James’s Hospital’s multidisciplinary Sustainability and Climate Action Committee