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Tuesday, 20 October 2026

Circular farming could help insulate Ireland’s farmers and taxpayers from global shocks

New research from University of Galway shows that transformative changes in farming and land use could mitigate huge risks facing Ireland’s farmers and taxpayers over the coming decades. The findings underline how current farming practices and land use patterns leave Ireland vulnerable to inevitable global shocks, including climate change impacts and trade disruptions. By making greater use of farm and food by-products, alongside ambitious climate action, circular farming could diversify revenue streams and reduce risk. The research has been published in two new scientific articles in Nature portfolio journals. The first study published in npj – Sustainable Agriculture applies alternative solutions to evaluate land use strategies developed as part of Ireland’s Land Use Review Phase 2, a government‑led assessment that examines how Ireland’s land can best meet climate, biodiversity, food production and rural livelihood goals out to 2050. The second study published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment explored a range of future farming and land use alternatives that achieved climate neutrality by 2050 and embedded high levels of circularity – recycling biological resources to supply animal feed and bioenergy generation. Both studies illustrate the increasing costs likely to face farmers, taxpayers and consumers if difficult decisions on subsidy reform and land strategy are kicked further down the road. They also provide robust evidence for policy makers and farming stakeholders grappling with difficult decisions on how to balance apparently competing objectives for land. The research was led by Professor David Styles and Dr Daniel Henn from the Ryan Institute at University of Galway. Professor David Styles from the Ryan Institute at University of Galway, said: “Business as usual exposes Irish farmers to pollution pricing in a sustainable future, trade barriers in a regional rivalry future, and climate-change-driven productivity losses in a fossil-fuelled-growth future. More diversified farming could help insulate Irish farmers, consumers and taxpayers to this plethora of risks, whilst improving food and energy security and supporting a vibrant agri-food sector less exposed to reputational risk and trade barriers.” In his research, Professor Styles assessed five possible futures drawn from outlooks used by the global climate and economic research communities. Ambitious climate-neutral bioeconomy and alternative‑protein scenarios include: More use of home‑grown peas and pulses Refined protein extracted from grass biorefineries Low-input multifunctional bioenergy crops such as willow High levels of technology adoption More diversified land use These scenarios were found to dramatically reduce emissions while lowering exposure to future risks. Dr Henn’s alternative research scenarios included dairy specialisation, food production diversification and national food self-sufficiency. Advanced circular animal feed included refined by-products from breweries and other food industries, and insect meal produced from insects fed on food waste. Novel indicators to evaluate sustainability and resilience considered factors such as import dependency, net human-edible protein production, total land requirement for agriculture and bioenergy generation, alongside greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses to water. Findings showed that circular farming strategies could reduce Ireland’s exposure to future market, regulatory and climate threats - through the substitution of imported feed, food, fertiliser and fossil energy. Dr Daniel Henn, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, said: “Increased circular agriculture is more resilient to future volatility. Embedding it within the ambitious land use strategies needed to achieve climate neutrality can create more robust, self-sustaining farming systems that are better able to cope with climate and geopolitical shocks.” Dr Colm Duffy, Research Fellow at the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, said: “Better use of Ireland’s abundant bioresources could substantially lower import demands. While this creates obvious economic benefits for society as a whole, benefits need to be translated to farmer incomes.” Both studies underline the pivotal role of diversification, and the need for long-term strategic policymaking that reconciles climate, biodiversity, food security and rural livelihood objectives for farming and downstream bioeconomy sectors, such as timber for construction and advanced biofuels for aviation and shipping. This research involved partners from Munster Technological University, the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) and Fers Ltd. Funding support was from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. The first study published in npj – Sustainable Agriculture can be read here. The second study published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment can be read here. Ends

News Archive

Monday, 19 October 2026

Four generations of women share a University of Galway connection

Monday, 19 October 2026

Tús le comhpháirtíocht straitéiseach don chultúr agus don oideachas idir an Ollscoil agus an Músaem

Monday, 19 October 2026

University and Museum unveil strategic partnership for culture and education

Thursday, 15 October 2026

Déanann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ceiliúradh ar a bhfuil bainte amach ag beagnach 2,800 céimí agus tús á chur inniu le searmanais bhronnta an fhómhair. Tá fáilte á chur roimh na mílte céimí, a muintir agus a gcairde ar an gcampas agus na searmanais ag tosú inniu agus ag leanúint go dtí Dé Máirt, an 20 Deireadh Fómhair, agus arís Dé hAoine, an 23 Deireadh Fómhair. Bronnfar céimeanna Baitsiléara, Máistreachta agus PhD ar chéimithe ó cheithre Choláiste na hOllscoile. Dúirt an tOllamh David Burn, Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Is mór an pléisiúr an lá mór seo a cheiliúradh in éineacht lenár gcéimithe agus a dteaghlaigh agus a gcairde. Is é lá bronnta na céime an toradh ar bhlianta d’obair chrua, dúthracht agus tiomantas, agus tréaslaím le gach duine acu as a bhfuil bainte amach acu. “Is ionann na céimithe seo agus an chéad ghlúin eile de ghairmithe, taighdeoirí, ceannairí agus gníomhaithe athraithe agus táimid ag tnúth leis an gcion tairbhe a dhéanfaidh siad a fheiceáil sna blianta romhainn. Guím gach rath orthu agus iad ag cur tús leis an gcéad chaibidil eile dá saoil.” Tá sceideal iomlán shearmanais bhronnta an fhómhair 2026 le fáil ag https://www.universityofgalway.ie/conferring/guide/autumn-conferring/ Críoch

Thursday, 15 October 2026

University of Galway will celebrate the achievements of almost 2,800 graduates as its autumn conferring ceremonies begin today. Thousands of graduates, their families and friends are being welcomed to campus, with ceremonies running from today through Tuesday October 20th and continuing again on Friday October 23rd. Graduates from across the University’s four Colleges will receive awards ranging from Bachelor, Masters and PhD degrees. Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “It is a great pleasure to celebrate this important milestone with our graduates and their families and friends. Graduation is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and commitment, and I congratulate every graduate on their achievement. “These graduates are the next generation of professionals, researchers, leaders and changemakers, and we look forward to seeing the contribution they will make in the years ahead. I wish each of them every success as they begin the next chapter of their lives.” The full schedule for the 2026 autumn conferring ceremonies is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/conferring/conferring-information/autumn-conferring/ Ends

Wednesday, 14 October 2026

University of Galway has been recognised for its international reputation for marine and ocean research with the award of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for Ocean Futures, Science and Diplomacy. The recognition from the European Commission has been announced following the Atlantic Summit Galway 2026, an international gathering of leading ocean strategists, researchers, policymakers, innovators and representatives of Atlantic communities jointly organised by University of Galway, the Marine Institute and Atlantic Technological University. The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence seeks to strengthen understanding of the European Union’s role in shaping the future of Atlantic and global ocean and coasts through integrated education, research and policy engagement. Professor Frances Fahy, Director of the Ryan Institute at University of Galway, said: “We are honoured to have been awarded the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for Ocean Futures, Science and Diplomacy. This prestigious European recognition builds on decades of marine, ocean and coastal research excellence at the Ryan Institute in University of Galway and recognises our position as a leading hub for research, education and collaboration in this field. ”The Centre also looks firmly to the future, directly supporting the University’s strategic ambition for ocean research. It also provides an important new platform through which to build on our expertise, strengthening the impact of ocean and coastal research on society, policy and business; creating new opportunities for teaching and intergenerational learning; and deepening collaboration between researchers, policymakers, communities and international partners. ”As a leading research-intensive university, we have a distinctive opportunity, and responsibility, to connect world-class research with policy, diplomacy and society, and to help shape a sustainable and inclusive future for our ocean and coastal communities. The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence will play a huge role in that.” Sieglinde Gruber, Chair of the International Advisory Board for the Jean Monnet Centre for Ocean Futures and former Director-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, said: “Jean Monnet understood that Europe is built not simply by institutions, but by bringing people together around common challenges. The ocean reminds us that this task has no borders - and intergenerational cooperation reminds us that it has no age. European added value lies precisely there: in connecting countries, knowledge and generations to achieve together what none of us can achieve alone.” The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for Ocean Futures, Science and Diplomacy at University of Galway is led by Professor Louise Allcock in Zoology and Dr Stefan Fritz, Adjunct Professor. It will bring together academics from across the university’s research disciplines, enabling University of Galway to further develop its international profile and leadership in ocean research by creating a unique space within the EU to teach, research and debate the roles of marine and coastal sciences in global ocean and coastal policy processes. It will also support the EU’s capacity to respond coherently to complex global challenges that intersect climate and biodiversity change, human pressures such as migration and maritime security and the pursuit of peaceful international relations. Professor Louise Allcock, Co-Director of Centre at the University of Galway, said: “The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for Ocean Futures, Science and Diplomacy will provide learning opportunities in ocean science, ocean governance and Atlantic policy-making, equipping a new generation of ocean leaders to build a sustainable and socially equitable ocean.” Dr Stefan Fritz, Co-Director of the Centre and Adjunct Lecturer at the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, said: “With the generous support of the EU and the University of Galway, we are working with local and international partners to make Galway a hub for science that supports peaceful, sustainable and community-led coastal and ocean futures across the Atlantic and beyond.” The Atlantic Summit was held over two days at University of Galway, as an Associated Event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, supported by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It explored how research, data, technology, education and collaboration can progress the ambition of the EU Ocean Pact, adopted in 2025. It sets out a vision to restore ocean health, strengthen maritime security, support coastal communities and unlock sustainable economic opportunities at sea. Delivering on that vision will require a strong, well-resourced and connected marine knowledge system. Ends