58 Co-Creating UCD’s Sustainability Toolkit

Kendra Paleczny presented the UCD Sustainability Toolkit, a student-led initiative developed over 18 months in response to student demand for accessible resources to better understand and act on sustainability. Based on a survey of over 300 students—where 80% reported feeling very worried about climate change—the toolkit was designed to provide both climate literacy and practical action guidance.

The digital resource, hosted on Brightspace and also made publicly available via Moodle, is divided into two parts. Part One: Climate Literacy builds foundational understanding across the three sustainability pillars—environmental, social, and economic—through short videos, quizzes, and interactive activities. Structured in three levels (“What’s the problem?”, “How does it affect us?”, and “What can we do?”), it aims to move learners from awareness to empowerment, tackling misconceptions and highlighting issues such as climate justice and ecosystem services.

Part Two: Climate Action offers practical, place-based tips across four themes prioritised by students: biodiversity, food, fashion & consumption, and involvement. Actions are presented in an accessible “easy–medium–hard” format, with clear local guidance on what to do, where to go, and who to contact on or off campus.

Beyond the digital space, the project also inspired UCD Circular, a student-led initiative promoting circular economy practices through clothing swaps, repair stands, and a “borrow rack.” Ms Paleczny emphasised that the toolkit goes beyond a simple resource; it serves as a platform for peer-to-peer engagement, empowerment and collective action. It ensures students feel equipped to contribute meaningfully to sustainability on campus and beyond.

About the author

name: Kendra Paleczny

institution: University College Dublin