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Green-Innovation Research for Environmental Protection in Ireland
ENVITECH-Net Katowice 22-23 October 2009
Lisa Sheils, Environmental Protection Agency Ireland
About the EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent public body established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992.
Other main instruments from which it derives its mandate are the Waste Management Act, 1996, and the Protection of the Environment Act, 2003.
The EPA has a wide range of functions to protect the environment. Its primary activities include:
Environmental licensing Enforcement of environmental law Environmental planning and guidance Monitoring and Reporting on the environmental status Managing Environmental Research Programme
340 Staff in 10 Locations
HeadquartersWexford
Inspectorates DublinCorkCastlebarMonaghanKilkenny
Regional Offices MallowAthloneLimerickLetterkenny
EPA Environmental Research Programme
R&D Programme (94-99)
€3m
ERTDI Programme (2000-2006)
€55m
STRIVE Programme (2007-2013)
€103m
Areas Covered Environmental Technologies, Climate Change, Waste Resource Mgt & Chemicals, Water
Quality, Air Quality, Biodiversity, Soils, Land Cover, Socio-Economics, Environment & Health
Funding TypesScholarships, Fellowships, Large Multi-Interdisciplinary Projects
Business Support – Cleaner Greener Production Programme
EPA Act, 1992 (Section 71), SOE reports, NDP 2007-2013,
Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (2006 & 2009)
Building a Smart Green Economy (2008)
National & International Legislation, Policies & Plans
EPA Environmental Research Programme
Increasingly, research playing a central role in protecting the environment: Provides foundation for policy and decision making Technology & innovation provide pioneering solutions to environmental
problems
Foundation for ‘Smart Green Economy’ EPA has the overall remit for co-ordinating environmental
research in Ireland. Manages national funding for research on behalf of DEHLG Link to national & EU policy, evidence based assessments
and on scientific knowledge of EPA staff
Research Supporting Policy (Implementation & Development )
Climate change research has developed new national capacity to forecast future climate conditions in Ireland. Featured strongly in Climate Change Strategy 2007-2013
Recent projects informing policy on the potential of MBT & Pay-By-Use waste charging systems in an Irish context. Highly relevant to National Biowaste Strategy
Water Framework Directive (WFD) – Major input to policy deliverables
EPA Environmental Research Programme (cont.)
Most recent strategy for period 2007-2013STRIVE – SScience TTechnology, RResearch & IInnovvation for the
EEnvironment Key focus on Eco-Innovation
Industry-led: Cleaner Greener Production Programme Academic-led: Environmental Technologies Research Programme
Research Supporting Business
Establised in 1997 as pilot with IBEC Cleaner Greener Production Programme Total Cost: €17.5m; EPA input €5.9m (34%)
CGPP Phase 2(22 organisations (incl. Pfizers, Millipore, Diageo, SMEs), 150 participants, €1m investment)
CO2 reductions – 3,500 tpa
Water/wastewater reductions – 220,000 tpa
Energy > 660MWh
Solid Waste >1,500 tpa
EPA grant award: ~€1m
Financial Savings: €1.6m per annum
ROI = 80-115% depending on payback period used 5/10 years.
Highlighted as Exemplar Programme in EU review of
Eco-Innovation Programmes (2007)
Research Supporting Wider Environmental Technologies (Academic Led)
ETAP Initiative in EU in 2004 – EPA widened support for Environmental Technologies Sector
Ireland as a major player in emerging technologies and associated markets
Build National Capacity (ICT, Bio, Nano) Build International competitiveness
Signficant Investment in Env Tech since 2005 (€30m)
Successful programme: Surveyed €4.7m investment in 18 projects in 2005: 40+ Papers; 5 Patents; 1 start-up company
Strong buy-in (leverage) from EPA chemists & inspectors
Suite of research test-sites (wastewater and water)
Applied Research & Demonstration of Environmental Technologies
Adapting existing technologies Developing new technologies Strong policy basis
> 98% Metal Removal
using Nanotechnology
Bioplastic
from
waste
Novel Toxicity testing – replacement animal trials
Research facility at WWTP
Research supporting Policy & Technology
DEPLOY (Universities, RBD & SME)
Started April 2009 – River Lee in Cork Partners Trial (EPA/MI)http://www.ids-deploy.com/
Research Monitoring FrameworkResearch Monitoring Framework
Research QualityResearch Quality Research ImpactResearch Impact
QualityQuality of Research InputsQualityQuality of Research OutputsReputational QualityQuality
Policy ImpactImpactCommercial ImpactImpactCollaborative ImpactImpact
EPA_STRIVE Research Monitoring Framework
G O’Leary, R. Boyle, B. Donlon & L. Sheils. Accountability and learning in Environmental Research. Administration, Vol.55,No.4(2008), pp159-170.
Conclusions
Environmental research is vital to underpin environmental protection and the development of a smart green economy
Environmental technologies represent a major opportunity for Ireland
EPA investment in ET and CGGP is building capacity and expertise and supporting policy development
Yielding wider economic benefits Vital that Ireland continues to foster an innovation-driven culture in
the ET field EPA is committed in the coming years to further prioritising its
research programme to target ET field and also to provide support to innovators in businesses
EPA committed to stronger links with national and international funding agencies
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