University College Cork (UCC) is aiming to become a zero-waste campus by 2030 and a carbon neutral campus by 2040.
The university has launched a five-year plan, setting out 62 actions that it says it is committing to undertaking to reduce its environmental footprint.
UCC plans to engage with local authorities and to develop a programme with Cork City Council that will assess green space use and promote wild areas, green space and food growing initiatives.
UCC President Professor John O'Halloran said: "We have set ambitious target as time is simply running out.
"We need to work harder and faster to for the future of this planet and our students. The higher education sector must act to inspire change and through our research and learning and teaching we will work to help lead that change."
UCC said it went plastic free on campus earlier this year, eliminating the waste of 300,000 paper cups.
It also established the first Sustainability and Climate Action office in Ireland's higher education sector.
UCC is ranked 7th in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking and 46th in the world for sustainability in the QS World University Rankings.
Hayley O'Connell Vaughan, UCC Students’ Union Communications and Engagement Officer, said student activists have always been the key driving force behind sustainability practices in UCC.
"From our Green Flag to the roll out of the 'Plastic Free UCC’ initiative; without students these initiatives would not have been possible," Ms O'Connell Vaughan said.
"It is imperative that we continue to listen to and support students in their work as we make strides towards a better and more sustainable future for all, starting right here in UCC".
