Together with national and international partners, UCD's world-leading researchers are tackling biodiversity loss and the challenges of climate change through defence of our ecosystems and improved management of our natural resources. Their work is enhancing policy, improving practices and changing behaviours, via inclusive, interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches.
Go to 'Earth Talks' seriesNo. of policy mentions for UCD publications (2016-2024) connected to the SDGs
UCD ranked No.1 in Ireland in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2024
UCD is 22nd in The Times Higher Education World Impact Rankings (using the UN Sustainable Development Goals)
Investment in National research centre (BiOrbic) for Bioeconomy in Ireland
As one of the most diverse groups of organisms on this planet, insects comprise over half of all known animal diversity on Earth. Globally, insect pollinators have been found to contribute over €153 billion annually in ecosystem services through the pollination of crops and wild plant species. Dr Dara Stanley is PI on SUSPOLL and worked on the All-Island Pollinator Plan, which brought different sectors across Ireland together to create a landscape where pollinators can thrive and has led to changes in EU policy.
The Marine Protected Area (MPA) Bill 2023 seeks to protect 30% of Ireland’s maritime area by 2030. In one of the closest policy-making collaborations between the Irish Government and researchers to date, Professor Tasman Crowe (Chair) and the MPA expert advisory group worked with stakeholders and members of the public, and their report formed the backbone of Ireland’s General Scheme of Marine Protected Areas Bill 2022. In the video below (at 18:20 mins), Prof Crowe emphasises to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Leinster House why public engagement is one of the most important aspects of the Bill.
The European Parliament has approved the Nature Restoration Law to restore EU ecosystems by 2050. The Law was strongly supported by the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss chaired by Dr Aoibhínn Ní Shúilleabháin. One of four Citizens’ Assemblies contained in the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, it voted on a series of propositions informed by detailed input from stakeholders, the general public and experts including UCD's Dr Helen Sheridan, Prof Mary Kelly Quinn, Dr Michael Lennon, Professor Tasman Crowe and Dr Elva Johnston. The Assembly's recommendations are reflected in the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan.
The UCD Institute of Humanities' Empire and Ecologies Symposium brought together different disciplinary perspectives, including literary and cultural scholarship, postcolonial studies, science and technology studies, critical Indigenous studies and the history of colonial commodities and natural resources, to explore the ecological consequences of the long histories of empire. Panels featured discussions on blue humanities, environmental disaster, extractivism, biodiversity, critical Indigenous studies, and ecologies in antiquity.
In recent years, Ireland has experienced water supply shortages, and they are forecast to become more frequent. To address this, Dr Sarah Cotterill’s research explored how Ireland can conserve water, and the benefits of doing so. She produced a policy brief for An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) including ten clear recommendations – around technology, regulation and education – on how domestic water conservation measures could be implemented in Ireland. Through a programme of outreach, including policy workshops and media appearances, she is working to ensure these recommendations are translated into policy, so that we can save water and protect the environment.
Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability
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