Enterprise Ireland to mark St Patrick’s Day with over 50 virtual trade events across the world and launch of international Green Innovation campaign.
Trade and innovation agency Enterprise Ireland plans to underpin Irish exports on St Patrick’s Day by holding more than 50 virtual trade events across the world.
The events will highlight the positive impact that Irish businesses are delivering across the world.
“Supporting Irish companies to reduce their carbon footprint and capitilise on opportunities emerging from the low-carbon transition is a key strategic priority for Enterprise Ireland”
Enterprise Ireland has also launched an international campaign ‘Ready for a Green Future’ promoting Irish green innovators who are delivering sustainable and low carbon solutions to tackle climate challenge.
The thrust of the campaign is a focus on the climate agenda, and as the world emerges from Covid-19 there is a need to build back better, prioritising sustainability and tackling the many environmental challenges that we face to deliver a green recovery.
It will showcase many world-leading Irish green innovators who are solving complex technical challenges and delivering sustainable and low carbon solutions to make renewable energy viable; reduce energy waste in our cities with smart technology; reduce agricultural waste and make construction cleaner.
The low carbon future of business
“Supporting Irish companies to reduce their carbon footprint and capitilise on opportunities emerging from the low-carbon transition is a key strategic priority for Enterprise Ireland,” said Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.
“As Irish businesses recover from the impact of Covid-19 we need to also build resilience and work with researchers and innovators to ensure Irish companies are fully prepared and have the capabilities in place to meet the challenges of climate change and the substantial changes required across society to meet national and EU emissions targets, new standards, changing consumer and buyer preferences.”
Some of the Irish companies featured in the campaign include:
- Keenans’ innovative diet feeder technology is paving the way for farms of all sizes to become part of a circular economy as they maximise efficiency, eliminate waste, and significantly reduce emissions.
- CitySwift is combating the climate crisis by using data to strategically improve public transport, making the most sustainable modes of transport more efficient and user-friendly.
- Ecocem is addressing one of the world’s largest carbon culprits, cement, by manufacturing a greener cement alternative with reduced carbon emissions.
- Ocean Energy is capturing and converting the power of waves into electricity having developed the world’s largest capacity floating wave energy device.
“Research, innovation and new technologies will play a vital role in enabling a greener future,” Sinnamon continued.
“At a time when there is a strong focus on a green recovery across the world, across the European Union and in Ireland, this St. Patrick’s Day we are showcasing some of Ireland’s best green innovators and key actors in our research and innovation ecosystem. They are enabling industries such as agriculture, construction and transport be more sustainable, making buildings greener, cutting pollution and supporting renewable energy production.”
Global green
The virtual events will also coincide with a series of virtual events being organised by Enterprise Ireland’s sister agency IDA Ireland aimed at winning more foreign direct investment into Ireland. Announced last week, the events will coincide with a global marketing campaign by IDA Ireland.
Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, An Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar and the Minister for Trade Promotion, Robert Troy will be participating in the virtual events series with Enterprise Ireland clients and international partners across the US, Europe, UK, EMEA and Asia Pacific regions over the St Patricks Day period, including:
- USA – CEO Roundtable event with the Taoiseach
- USA – Events with Lt Governor of the State of California and Lt Governor of Washington State with An Tánaiste
- Germany & France – Ready for a Green Future event with An Tánaiste
- UK – ‘Nua’ – A celebration of Irish innovation in the UK with An Tánaiste
- Australia – Ireland Re-visited Business Event with An Tánaiste
- Belgium – Belgian/ Ireland Trade Opportunities Post Brexit with Minister Troy
- Nordics – Sustainability in a Digital World with Minister Troy
- South East Asia – Indonesia St Patricks Day Event with Minister Troy
- Australia – St Patricks Day Advisory Panel Event with Minister Troy
“St Patrick’s Day is the day the world turns green as we come together to celebrate our national holiday,” said Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar, TD. “It’s also a great opportunity to showcase Ireland’s green innovators and the positive contribution they are making to industries across the world.
“Moving away from fossil fuels and decoupling emissions from economic progress is the biggest challenge facing this generation. Ireland is fully committed to playing its part in the global effort. We are committed to reducing emissions by 7pc on average by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Enterprise Ireland’s Ready for a Green Future campaign highlights some of the Irish companies who are the early movers, the trail blazers who have sustainability at the core of their business. This St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to showcase these green innovators and the positive contribution they are making to industries across the world,” Varadkar said.
Main image at top: Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland
By John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 15 March 2021
