Environment Ireland® 2018

Thursday 4th October · Croke Park, Dublin

Ireland’s environment in 2018

This year’s conference programme reflects the overall current changing nature of the Irish and international environment. The 2016 State of the Environment Report showed Ireland’s environment to be good overall but there are significant challenges. With recent reports stating that Ireland is the second-worst performing EU member state in tackling climate change, it has been confirmed that Ireland will fail to meet the 2020 EU emission targets – meeting just 1% of the 20% target – and is off course for 2030. A National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) is in the works. Environment Ireland 2018 will feature a dedicated session looking at the way forward for climate action in Ireland.

We are delighted to include a keynote video address from EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella who will outline to delegates the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. The latest figures show that Ireland is the largest producer of waste plastic in Europe — totalling 61kg per person per year. A recent poll found that 85% of Irish people are concerned by their usage of plastics, making this a timely and important address.

It is important not only to hear the latest developments in policy, but also to discuss and put your questions to expert speakers during dedicated Q&A sessions. Ensure you don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from those individuals and organisations shaping the future of Ireland's environment.

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Confirmed Speakers

Dr Cara Augustenborg, Chairperson
Friends of the Earth Europe

Conall Boland, Deputy Chairperson
An Bord Pleanála

Laura Burke, Director General
Environmental Protection Agency

Bill Callanan, Chief Inspector
Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine

Brian Carroll, Assistant Secretary Environment and Climate
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Matt Collins, Assistant Secretary
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Dr Matt Crowe, Director of the Office of Evidence and Assessment (OEA)
Environmental Protection Agency

Jenny Deakin, Manager, Catchment Science and Management UnitEnvironmental Protection Agency

Gorm Dige, Manager, Territorial Environment, Policy and Economic Analysis
European Environment Agency

Claire Downey, National Network Coordinator
Community Reuse Network Ireland

Professor John FitzGerald, Chair
National Advisory Council on Climate Change

Pádraic Fogarty, Campaign Officer
Irish Wildlife Trust

Nigel Haigh, Hon. Fellow and former Director
Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP)

Ken Irvine, Professor of Aquatic Ecosystems
IHE Delft Institute of Water Education

Sean Laffey, Head of Asset Management
Irish Water

Cillian Lohan, Member
European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

Liam Lysaght, Director
National Biodiversity Data Centre

Tracey McDermott, Head of Trading Law & Technical
Tesco Ireland

Brendan Murphy, Group Commercial and Regulatory Director
Ervia

Pat Murphy, Head of Environment Knowledge Transfer
Teagasc

Hildegarde Naughton, Chair
Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Tadhg O'Mahoney, Senior Scientific Officer
Environmental Protection Agency

Kate Ruddock, Deputy Director
Friends of the Earth

Thomas Ryan, Environment Executive
Irish Farmers' Association

Professor Jane Stout, Botany
Trinity College Dublin

Stephen Treacy, Senior Scientific Officer
Environmental Protection Agency

Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner
Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs

Dr Koko Warner, Climate Change Secretariat
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

David Warren, Head of Circular Economy Policy Development
Welsh Government

Key themes for 2018

Environment Ireland Conference 2018
Policy update

An important session examining the future outlook for policy across Ireland and the EU. Delegates will hear the main priorities directly from policy-makers including an address from the EPA Director General and a presentation examining how Brexit will affect future environmental policy.

Environment Ireland Conference 2018
Climate change

This important session will look at Ireland’s journey towards emission reduction, including a sectoral focus on meeting the climate change challenge.

Environment Ireland Conference 2018
Water

A new format for 2018, we will hear a visiting perspective followed by a water panel looking at the future outlook for Ireland’s water with key stakeholder organisations.

Environment Ireland Conference 2018
Planning, infrastructure and the environment

This session will look at the environmental challenges in implementing the National Planning Framework and the opportunities of green infrastructure.

Environment Ireland Conference 2018
Resource efficiency and circular economy

Discuss the value of waste and how to use it to the benefit of the economy with leading local and visiting industry experts.

Environment Ireland Conference 2018
Natural capital and air quality

A new addition to the 2018 programme, this session will focus on air pollution and give delegates an overview of the state of the natural environment.

How to register

Delegate fee


€295


+ VAT @ 23% = €362.85


Public sector delegate fee


€245


+ VAT @ 23% = €301.35

Sponsorship and exhibition

Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities


There are a small number of opportunities to get involved with Environment Ireland 2018. Now in its 14th year, this is the major annual environment conference in Ireland attracting 300+ delegates annually. Contact Fiona McCarthy on +353 (0)1 661 3755 or email fiona.mccarthy@environmentireland.ie for further information on how to feature your organisation at the conference.

Exhibition Information

What are delegates saying at #environmentireland?

Fantastic line up of speakers at the #EnvironmentIreland 2017 conference today!
Great day of learning & networking

@RebeccaRaftery2

Thanks to @eolasmagazine and @EPAIreland for a day of stimulating discussion on #climate, #brexit and #environment at #environmentireland

@farrellniall

@CrokePark today for #EnvironmentIreland conference;
venue packed to hear about climate and #environment challenges facing island of Ireland.

@MarieTCowan

#environmentireland
Great day with lots of networking!

@preventwaste

Great line up of speakers at the Environment Ireland conference in Croke park
#environmentireland

@L_Roche1