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National

Actively Shaping Ireland's

Bioeconomy Policy

National Policy

Working with the Bioeconomy Implementation Group, BiOrbic contributed to the  National Policy Statement on Bioeconomy (2018). The centre continues closely with key national policy stakeholders to place the bioeconomy as a key objective in a number of Government policies including  Project Ireland 2040,  Future Jobs Ireland and the  Government Climate Action Plan to Tackle Climate Change.

Bioeconomy is now also an objective of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and ‘ Food Vision 2030 A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems ’. Recognised for its leadership in policy development, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected a BiOrbic team to develop a ‘Circular Bioeconomy Outlook 2030-2050.

Policy 7
Repro Free: Monday 11th November 2019; As part of our national celebration of Science Week, Leo Varadkar TD, in collaboration with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), hosted a meeting of scientists and experts all researching areas that are central to addressing the challenges we face related to climate change. The meeting focused on the areas where there are opportunities for research to address some of those challenges. Commenting on the meeting, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, said “Our response to climate change must be underpinned by science and research. Indeed, science and technology will help us to unlock and identify new ways of reducing emissions and adapting to our changing climate. Today’s meeting with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), in Science Week, is a valuable opportunity for me to hear directly from some of the experts who are exploring high tech solutions to make our economy and our society more sustainable. The Government is providing an extra €2 million to SFI for 2020 for its cutting edge research programme because we want to ensure Ireland is at the forefront of adapting to a more climate resilient future.” The meeting was attended by: Professor Mark Ferguson Director General Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland, Dr Lisa Ryan, School of Economics, University College Dublin, Dr Conor Murphy, Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, Maynooth University, Prof Brian Ó Gallachóir, Professor of Energy Engineering in University College Cork’s School of Engineering and Vice-Director of UCC’s Environmental Research Institute, Director of SFI Research Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI), Prof Anna Davies, Professor of Geography, Environment and Society, Trinity College Dublin, Dr Barry O’Dwyer, SFI Research Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI)Dr Kevin O’Connor, Director Beacon, SFI Bioeconomy Research Centre, UCD, Dr Dara Stanley, School of Agriculture and
Science Foundation Ireland Event at the US Institute for Peace, Wednesday March 14, 2018.
Visit of H.E. Mariam Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Minister from UAE. Iain White - Fennell Photography.
Visit of US Director of Science and Technology Policy Dr Kelvin Droegemeier to view UCD Research Centres
Visit of US Director of Science and Technology Policy Dr Kelvin Droegemeier to view UCD Research Centres
Policy 4

Partnerships

Connecting Government,

Industry and Communities

Partnerships

BiOrbic has a strong partnership with the national  Bioeconomy Implementation Group, which is chaired by two government departments, has been established to develop the bioeconomy in Ireland. Along with this group, BiOrbic has co-founded the  National Bioeconomy Forum, which meets regularly to hear from diverse public voices on related issues.

BiOrbic has also been instrumental in the development of  Bioeconomy Ireland Week, an annual, national festival celebrating the bioeconomy, organised by the Bioeconomy Implementation Group, BiOrbic and several other partners. Beginning as BiOrbic’s launch day in 2017, it is now a broad-reaching event that supports awareness building, discussions and the forming of new relationships.

Gain a competitive edge

BiOrbic Research Ireland Centre for the Bioeconomy is inviting researchers and industry partners to collaborate on projects that help drive Ireland’s transition to a sustainable circular bioeconomy.

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International

International Bioeconomy &

Sustainability Collaboration

International Policy

Our centre is delighted to leverage its expertise in the bioeconomy to support the development of policy internationally. In terms of EU policy, BiOrbic leadership has contributed to the writing of ‘ The circular bio-society 2050‘ and was present on the EU Missions Board on “Adaptation to climate change and societal transformation” in 2019. In addition, our work on the  CAPBIO4BG project, supported by the Ministry of Education, will significantly advance bioeconomy development in Bulgaria – an EU BIOEAST initiative county.

The British Embassy in Dublin has also commissioned BiOrbic to produce a report and associated recommendations to support engagement on research and innovation in bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture across and between the UK and Ireland in light of Brexit.