Environ 2025 was Co Hosted with University College Dublin and took place at the O’Brien Centre for Science at the UCD Bellfield Campus. Environ offers a high-visibility platform for both young and experienced researchers to present their findings to an audience of academia, government bodies and agencies, as well as industry representatives.
This year saw 270 delegates attend the conference, 87 oral presentations, 57 posters and 26 of these opting to give a 5 minute presentation on their poster. Abstracts were submitted under the following themes; One Health and Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration, Advancements in Renewable Energy Technologies, Sustainable Water: Management and Water Conservation, How Sustainable is my Food?, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Circular Bioeconomy and Waste Management, Environmental Monitoring and Remediation (including Biobased Approaches), Air and Noise Pollution, Green Chemistry and Sustainable Manufacturing, Micro and Nano Plastics and Animal/Human Health, Emerging Contaminants, Policy, Governance, and Sustainable Development, Sustainable Design Challenge, Water and Nature in a Changing Climate, Marine and Coastal. Click here to read the book of abstracts.
The theme of Environ 2025 was ‘One Health for a Sustainable Future’, echoing most of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals such as Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Life on Land. ENVIRON 2025 reflected how research in different areas could collaborate to create solutions for a healthy and sustainable nature and environment for the well-being of all living organisms in this world. Environ mobilises research knowledge that aligns with EPA core roles – as an environmental regulator, as a key source of trusted scientific evidence and knowledge and working with others to deliver better environmental outcomes.
Summary of Event
Monday 10th March – Workshops/Tour
Coastal Resilience through Nature-based Solutions
Participants carried out hands-on wave measurements in the wave flume, exploring various nature-based and eco-engineered solutions under different wave conditions. They analysed the data in small groups and shared their findings in a group discussion.
HOLOSIE to HOLOSEU: A Digital Solution for Sustainable and Low-Carbon Farming
This workshop demonstrated the HOLOS-IE v 3.0 leading to HOLOS-EU development and its capabilities, it highlighted challenges and opportunities, showcased functionalities and benefits, and provided hands-on training.
A visit to UCD Rosemount Environmental Research Station
UCD Rosemount Environmental Research Station is a state-of-the-art plant and environmental research facility under the joint management of the School of Biology and Environmental Science and School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin. Participants embarked on a tour hour tour of the facility including a visit to the Lamb-Clarke Irish Historical Apple collection.
Sensor and IoT Solutions for Environmental Applications
This two-hour workshop offered participants an interactive demonstration of various sensors designed for multiple environmental applications. Participants rotated through stands, each showcasing unique sensor applications, including air quality monitoring, soil analysis, and plastic sorting.
Monday evening public engagement event
Included an expert panel discussion ‘Your Sustainable Shopping list- how can you engage in more environmentally conscious shopping’; Pat Kane (reuzi.ie), Miriam Keegan (Sew Sustainable), Ciara Coleman (vision Ireland, Afric O’Sullivan (UCD) chaired by Tom Curran (UCD). Also included was an optional “Sewing Workshop” with Miriam Keegan.
Tuesday 11th March
• Welcome address and opening speeches from Dr Gerald Barry Deputy Director of UCD's One Health Centre, Prof Tasman Crowe UCD Vice-President for Sustainability. UCD Conference Convenor Dr Rajat Nag and Dr Junli Xu (Lily), and ESAI Chairperson, Dr Niamh Power, followed by keynote talks from Mr Andy Fanning EPA’s Programme Manager, Environment & Health on “Key Insights from the State of and Outlook for Ireland’s Environment” and Dr. Junli Xu from University College Dublin on “Understanding Microplastics: What We Know, What We Don’t, and Where Science is Headed”.
• All-day poster & meet the exhibitors’ sessions & parallel oral sessions.
• ESAI AGM with a special presentation from the ESAI 2024 Post graduate researcher of the year Jeovan Araujo.
• Tuesday Eve: Dinner & Dancing, Royal marine Hotel Dun Laoghaire.
Wednesday 12th March
• Keynote talk from industry expert S.R, Samadder of the Indian Institute of Technology where he explored waste-to-energy solutions for sustainable solid waste management, using LCA to assess viable waste management scenarios.
• Half day oral parallel sessions and a dedicated networking poster session.
• The conference concluded with a student award ceremony recognising ‘Best in Conference’, with €2500 awarded in various categories. Click here to read more.
• Click here for gallery images.
The Environ colloquium is now entering into its 36th year and is a well-established event among the environmental research community. It is the most recognised event in the environmental calendar and is considered an important and valuable platform for researchers across Ireland and further afield, providing an opportunity of greater Engagement and visibility to current and ongoing research activities, some of which provides solutions to address environmental challenges. The annual colloquium rotates among all the higher education institutions across the island and each year is hosted by a different institution in collaboration with the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland. At the Close of conference Environ 2025, Dundalk Institute of Technology was announced as the co host for Environ 2026, date TBC.
Although students at Environ may not be funded directly through EPA, they will find that they were supported at Environ and other Irish events by the EPA and so The Environmental Science Association of Ireland and UCD would like to thank the EPA for their continued support of the Environ Colloquium.
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