Research ‘co-centre’ for water, biodiversity, climate launches with members from Ireland, NI, UK
More than 100 researchers, industry leaders and policy partners from across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain have marked the launch of the Co-Centre for Climate and Biodiversity and Water – a collaboration between Trinity College Dublin and Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Reading.
The €41.3 million centre is funded for six years by the Government of Ireland through Science Foundation Ireland and Shared Island Fund; the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs; andthe UK Research & Innovation. In addition, the project will also receive more than 30% co-funding from over 30 industry partners.
The Co-Centre is one of the first international research centres to bring researchers across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain together at such scale. The Co-Centre is placed to address challenges around maintaining a stable and liveable climate, securing and restoring biodiversity and the ecosystem services provided by nature, adapting to climate change, and reversing water degradation, which require collaborative cross-border approaches.
Co-director of the Co-Centre for Climate and Biodiversity and Water, Prof Yvonne Buckley from Trinity College Dublin, said: “Over the next six years the unique combination of disciplines, skills and implementation pathways linked to the Co-Centre will deliver societal impacts that stretch far into the future. It is the vision and commitment to this cause of the researchers, industry leaders and policy developers who are involved that will be key to tackling the challenges we face now and in the coming decades. We have an important two days ahead.”
Frances Wood, UKRI International Director, said: “Today’s launch is a huge step forward in our joint efforts to tackle the pressing environmental issues we face. By merging solid research with active partnerships across academia, industry, and government, we’re laying the groundwork for significant breakthroughs that will positively impact both our communities and natural environments. The strong commitment from a large range of stakeholders shows how determined we are to build a resilient and sustainable future together to create real-world solutions for climate change, biodiversity loss, and water management.”
The Co-Centre has also received a philanthropic gift of €1 million to fund a cross-jurisdictional PhD student programme: the Sunflower Charitable Foundation PhD programme supported by the Sunflower Charitable Foundation through Community Foundation Ireland.
The announcement of funding for co-centres in the areas of food sustainability and climate change was made in February 2023 following an open call administered by Science Foundation Ireland.
TechCentral Reporters
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers