Research Programme

Targeting Our Major Environmental Challenges

BiOrbic has identified 15 key challenges we must address in order to help Ireland transition to a sustainable, circular bioeconomy. Each challenge sits within one of the below five pillars with its own specific goals and dedicated research team.
More information about each of these challenges is coming soon.

healthy ecosystems

harvesting sustainably

valorising waste

bioeconomy systems

enabling actions

What it’s about:
Ensuring our natural ecosystems are healthy and strong so we can rely on them for generations to come.

recovering biodiversity

Restoring biodiversity and exploring its links to the bioeconomy.

What it’s about:
Making the best use of our biological resources by harvesting them efficiently and sustainably.

animal agriculture

Climate neutral animal farming that supports biodiversity.

marine

The sustainable, circular harvesting of marine resources.

forestry

The sustainable, circular harvesting of forest resources.

plant protein

A sustainable protein supply from plants.

What it’s about:
Finding ways that we can both reduce and repurpose waste so we develop a truly circular system.

plastic

Reducing plastic waste and developing bioplastics.

food waste

Reducing and repurposing food waste.

carbon dioxide

Reducing and repurposing excess carbon dioxide.

What it’s about:
Looking at the bigger picture and developing efficient and supportive systems.

digitalising

Leveraging digital technology to support the bioeconomy.

powering

A sustainable energy supply for the bioeconomy.

circular design

Ensuring our overarching systems are truly circular.

What it’s about:
Actions that indirectly support our development of the bioeconomy.

economic, social and policy

Working with key decision makers to support the bioeconomy.

life cycle analysis

Conducting life-cycle analysis of our research outputs.

education and engagement

Educating and engaging the public with the bioeconomy.

future leaders

Supporting young talent into bioeconomy careers.