The All Island Bioeconomy Summit 2024 was held in Tullamore on the 12th of March. The bioeconomy, as described by Charlie McConalogue T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is “a new approach to utilising the products, services, wastes and side-streams from sectors such as agri-food, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture more sustainably. It offers opportunities to reduce GHG emissions in the agri-food system by replacing fossil-based resources with biological alternatives”. The bioeconomy is considered a key element in our agricultural sector’s transition to climate neutrality.
CAP Network Ireland’s Dave Barry was there to highlight the role and opportunity for farming and rural communities in Ireland as we develop sustainable bioeconomy value chains. A sustainable bioeconomy will help to promote rural employment, economic growth, and social inclusion while preserving eco-systems. This event was held at a pivotal time for the sector in Ireland, bringing all the key stakeholders from together. The theme “Connecting the Bioeconomy” created much debate with informative and inspiring stories.
Speakers and guests included experts in the field nationally and internationally, with representatives from industry, academia, the research community, investors, community organizations, county councils and the Departments of Agriculture and Environment. In attendance were representatives from the World Bioeconomy Forum, BioConnect Ireland, Celtic Renewables, Enva, Hemp Cooperative Ireland, BiOrbic, DAFM, DECC, Tipperary Co. Co., the regional authorities, the Irish Grown Wool Council, the Irish Hemp Cooperative and the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation.
The event also hosted the Irish Bioeconomy Awards, celebrating the hard work, dedication and success of individuals and organisations in the bioeconomy sector on the island of Ireland. The award for Bio Achievement of the Year went to the Carbery Farm ZeroC project in recognition of their project aim to create a climate neutral model for dairy farming, the results to date are impressive from a baseline of 0.96 kgCO2/kgFPCM in 2018, the carbon footprint at the end of 2023 sits at 0.63 kgCO2/kgFPCM, a reduction of 27%. Meanwhile Declan Colbert from the PRISM Research Institute, TUS claimed the award for Top Bioeconomy Young Talent.
CAP Network Ireland will continue to promote the role of farming and rural communities in the development of the Irish Bioeconomy and is positioning itself as a key stakeholder acting as an intermediary between government departments, innovative research and the farming community. If you would like more information about the bioeconomy in Ireland, upcoming bioeconomy events or opportunities for you in the Irish bioeconomy visit our website https://capnetworkireland.eu/ or contact CAP Network Ireland’s Innovation & Engagement Officer Dave Barry <david.barry@mtu.ie>.
For more information about the All Island Bioeconomy Summit 2024, visit their website.
Image Source: Paul Moore Photography (https://www.paulmoorephotography.ie/)