Evidence Synthesis Report 8: Ireland’s Urban Bioeconomy – Opportunities for Climate Action
Authors: Sarah Zimmermann, Nicholas M. Holden and Claire Downey
Summary: This study, conducted by the The Rediscovery Centre, highlights opportunities for urban circular bioeconomy development to inform Ireland’s bioeconomy and climate policy updates and bioeconomy strategies.
This research project highlights opportunities for urban circular bioeconomy development to inform Ireland’s bioeconomy and climate policy updates and bioeconomy strategies. Nearly 70% of Ireland’s population lives in urbanised areas and high levels of biomass are consumed and produced in these areas, due to the density of people and businesses. However, this potential contribution to Ireland’s bioeconomy remains underutilised.
The report recommends that the Irish Government’s bioeconomy policy objectives recognise the importance of cities and urbanised areas for urban and circular bioeconomy development. Local authorities should be supported to deliver circular bioeconomy related actions within decarbonising zones and to coordinate such actions with existing circular economy strategies. An urban circular bioeconomy strategy should also be developed for at least one Irish city.
Finally, the report identifies specific opportunities to reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions across five target circular economy areas: circular built environment; circular food systems; circular manufacturing; transport and logistics design and circular consumption.