Thousands of third-level students will be obliged to take classes on environmental awareness as part of their regular studies, the Government has decided. About 13 institutes of technology and many other colleges will have to start including environmental modules on their courses, possibly as early as next year. Most business, engineering and science courses will be covered.
The Government's move has come in response to an EU Commission request. The Department of Education has instructed the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA) - which oversees the colleges - to draw up the plans, which will be sent to colleges shortly.
Commission officials have told the Department of Education they want to make Irish students aware of how easily the environment can be damaged by irresponsible actions. The Commission says this is especially necessary as the Irish economy expands and the environment comes under pressure.
However, university students will not be covered by the plan, even though many of their courses have environmental elements. The universities cannot be forced to implement the plan because they are autonomous bodies.
The EU wants students to study subjects such as waste management, global warming, coastal erosion and pollution prevention during the classes, most likely to take place for one hour each week during term. Several academics are opposed to the plans, but the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has welcomed them.
The Commission has asked for the classes to be put in place as part of its agreement to provide £2.9 billion towards the national development plan over the next six years. The legal document which gives effect to the national plan - the Community Support Framework (CSF) - makes reference to encouraging "environmental education".
After the CSF was signed in July, talks between the European Commission and the Department of Education began. In August the Department requested the NCEA to draw up guidelines for colleges on how to introduce environmental studies to their courses.