National Bioenergy Conference Webinar Special 2: COP26 Goal 2 – Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats

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For all participants who took part in this webinar or those who would like to catch up, you can view the live recording here

Bioenergy offers Ireland multi-sectoral benefits. Discussions are mostly focused on the provision of energy and emissions reduction. At this webinar the panel broadened the conversation to the wider benefits of bioenergy including rural development, indigenous generated energy, enhancing biodiversity and community involvement. The sustainability of bioenergy is governed by strict criteria in the RED II directive and plays a key role in sustainable forest management.
Speakers at this webinar explored the following areas:

  • Enhancing the natural environment, rural communities and creating jobs in rural areas.
  • Why is Ireland a laggard in Bioenergy deployment.
  • Replacing fossil fuels imports with indigenous resources such as biogas, energy crops, woodchip & firewood.
  • Sustainability and REDII – Protecting forest and hedgerow habitats.
  • Biogas reducing chemical fertiliser input and enhancing biodiversity.
  • Developing sustainable communities through Bioenergy projects.

Speakers Include:

  • Senator Pippa Hackett,  Minister  of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
  • Michael Kottner – IBBK & German Biogas Association
  • Maurice Ryan – IrBEA Vice President & Director of Green Belt
  • Chris Johnston – Project Leader in Environment & Renewable Energy Research at AFBI Hillsborough