Report: Green innovation benefits Irish economy

The Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a new report title, “Innovation for a Green Economy — Environment and Technology: A win-win story.”

“The Environmental Protection Agency is laying the foundations for a greener economy through active support for environmental research and innovation,” said EPA Director General Mary Kelly.

The report outlines some practical outcomes in the areas of environmental technologies and innovation from the investment made to date by the EPA through its Science, Technology, Research and Innovation (STRIVE) programme. It also provides a roadmap showing where further progress is required nationally to meet the environmental and economic challenges ahead.

The EPA sees a strong need to continue to prioritise environmental research and innovation investment with the aim of:

• Supporting the continued development of the environmental goods and services sector;
• Contributing to environmental protection by delivering applicable and relevant solutions, information and knowledge; and
• Supporting research and the integration of eco-innovation into all relevant sectors.

“While Ireland is facing unprecedented economic challenges, it is also the case that significant environmental challenges remain,” Kelly said. “The EPA STRIVE programme addresses both sets of challenges by improving the delivery of positive environmental outcomes while fostering a strong innovation culture, particularly in the environmental technologies area. Researchers and businesses are developing technologies that will deliver environmental benefits while improving competitiveness. We are confident that progress in this area can position Ireland at the forefront in one of the most rapidly growing international markets.”

The EPA STRIVE programme provides two types of support: support for researchers and innovators in the environmental technologies sector, and support for businesses participating in its Cleaner, Greener Production Programme.

The environmental technologies sector is one of the fastest growing markets internationally. Since 2005, the EPA programme has funded some 200 new researchers and innovators based in universities and industry. The report profiles several successes and impacts of research and innovation undertaken to date. These include high-value products from waste, energy from sewage treatment, smart filters that can remove metal ions from water, pollution sensors and a sustainable, ecological high-performance computer.