Research

Climate Neutral Operational Systems

Harnessing Natural Resources

Building a Climate-Neutral Future

Balancing Productivity with Sustainability

The Climate Neutral Operational Systems pillar focuses on making farming, forestry, and fisheries more sustainable. Each challenge explores practical ways to cut emissions, use resources efficiently, and protect the environment.

Animal Agriculture

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This challenge explores how livestock farming can reach net zero emissions while restoring nature on farms. Researchers are developing new ways to manage grasslands, animals, and nutrients to reduce emissions and improve biodiversity without sacrificing productivity.

Key Research Areas

Reduce methane and nitrogen loss from animal systems.
Support biodiversity, soil, and water quality.
Create viable, sustainable farming models for the future.

Marine

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This challenge explores how seaweed and other marine bioresources can power a sustainable blue economy. By improving aquaculture methods, developing low-impact processing technologies, and protecting coastal ecosystems, BiOrbic researchers aim to create a climate-resilient, circular marine industry. The work supports new value chains for food, health, and energy products while advancing ocean conservation and sustainable community development.

Key Research Areas

Build sustainable, low-impact seaweed farming systems.
Develop clean, zero-waste processing for marine products.
Protect habitats and strengthen climate adaptation.

Foresty

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This challenge aims to unlock that potential by advancing sustainable forest management and biobased innovation. Researchers are building integrated solutions to assess sustainability, transform wood waste into valuable materials, and model pathways toward net-zero emissions. The work supports Ireland and Europe’s climate goals through circular, data-driven, and socially balanced forestry practices.

Key Research Areas

Turn wood waste into low-carbon materials.
Model carbon-neutral forestry systems.
Boost afforestation through policy and innovation.

Cropping Systems

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This challenge aims to future-proof Ireland’s food and feed supply by developing climate-neutral, resilient, and diverse cropping systems. Through innovations in crop science, soil health, digital decision tools, and circular bioeconomy practices, this initiative will help Ireland meet EU Green Deal targets while unlocking new agri-food opportunities.

Key Research Areas

Broaden Ireland’s crops to boost food security and cut imports.
Apply natural biostimulants to replace chemicals and enrich soil.
Transform residues and grass into renewable energy and bio-products.

Gain a competitive edge

BiOrbic is inviting expressions of interest from researchers and businesses to co-develop innovative bioeconomy solutions across Ireland’s agri-food, forestry, marine and biotechnology sectors.

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Active Projects from

Across This Area of Research

EMBEDED

Exploiting Modular Biochar and board production plants to locally transform waste from traditional agrifood, feed and forestry industries into bio-materials with rEgional DEmanD.
Rural BioReFarmeries

Green BioReFarmeries – Small-scale Circular Green Biorefineries for increasing farmer sustainability and competitiveness and building resilient rural areas

Mapping & Modelling of Macroalgal Biomass availability; Unlocking the potential of coastal ecosystems for the sustainable development of marine bioresources, habitat protection and climate change mitigation.

To map & develop qualitative and quantitative models of marine biomass availability
Aquaculture food waste prevention and complete utilisation using a cascading approach

To achieve zero-waste approach for developed value chains. To design a microalgae-based cascading biorefinery process that converts aquaculture wastewater into omega-3 lipids and alternative proteins…
Nutramara: Validation of Green Extraction and Bioactivity of Marine β-Glucans and assessment of seaweed bioactives for Human Health Applications

This research aims to validate and optimize the green extraction of β-glucan and other marine bioactives from Irish seaweed, focusing on their health benefits and…
MARMADE

MARine bioMass valorizAtion for fooD and fEed innovation
Biochains Atlantic

Optimizing the Algal Biomass Value Chains for Sustainable Economic Growth in the Atlantic Area
PERFECTO-3

Personalised emulsions with encapsulated fish oil for targeted and controlled delivery of omega-3 fatty acids and removal of off-flavour

Development and Characterisation of sustainable lignin-based nanocomposites

Developing new cutting-edge synthetic routes that can tailor the molecular structure of lignin to produce carbon-based nanostructures. Julieta: To develop and characterize lignin-based nano-structured carbon…
Lignocellulosic thermoplastic production from forestry resources

To develop value-added novel lignocellulosic thermoplastic from forestry resources.
BLADE2CIRC

Bio-based composites for improving the wind energy sector’s sustainability
Bioneer

SCALED-UP PRODUCTION OF NEXT-GENERATION CARBOHYDRATE-DERIVED BUILDING BLOCKS TO ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF A SUSTAINABLE EUROPEAN CHEMICALS INDUSTRY

Diversification of Irish Plant Protein sources to underpin the high value opportunities linked with indigenous, sustainably sourced protein feedstock

To investigate the potential of growing alternative sources of plant protein on the Island of Ireland that can service the bioeconomy as climate neutral feedstuffs…
Adapting Oats to Final Frontier

Adapting Oats to Final Frontier

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Impact

Why This Research Matters

Cutting Emissions, Protecting Ecosystems

Farms, forests, and fisheries can fight climate change. Our research finds practical ways to cut emissions, protect ecosystems, and grow the economy.

Reduce Emissions

Transform farms, forests, and fisheries to cut greenhouse gases and reach climate targets.

Boost Resource Efficiency

Use land, water, and inputs like fertiliser and feed more sustainably.

Innovate for Sustainability

Develop practical, real-world methods for carbon-neutral food and material production.

Protect Ecosystems

Ensure operational systems support biodiversity, soil health, and clean water.

Goals

Aligned with Key EU and National Targets

Supporting Climate and Environmental Commitments

Our research aligns with EU and Irish national targets, which set measurable goals for sustainable agriculture, forestry, and marine systems. These targets ensure our work supports wider climate and environmental commitments in Ireland and Europe.

European Green Deal

Greenhouse Gases – 55% reduction by 2030
Net Zero by 2050 through reductions in emissions and C-sequestration

Farm to Fork strategy

Fertiliser – 20% reduction by 2030
Pesticides – 50% reduction by 2030

Climate Neutral Operational Systems

Harnessing Natural Resources

On this page

Building a Climate-Neutral Future

Balancing Productivity with Sustainability

Animal Agriculture

Expand

Marine

Expand

Foresty

Expand

Cropping Systems

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Gain a competitive edge

Active Projects from

Across This Area of Research

Why This Research Matters

Cutting Emissions, Protecting Ecosystems

Reduce Emissions

Boost Resource Efficiency

Innovate for Sustainability

Protect Ecosystems

Aligned with Key EU and National Targets

Supporting Climate and Environmental Commitments

European Green Deal

Farm to Fork strategy