Dr. Catherine Farrell

Dr. Catherine Farrell

Assistant Professor in Business & Nature, School Office Trinity Business School

Biography

Dr. Catherine Farrell CIEEM was appointed Assistant Professor of Business and Nature in Trinity Business School in March 2025. Prior to this appointment, Catherine was a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Natural Sciences and Adjunct Teaching Fellow in Trinity Business School. A pioneer of peatland restoration and research in Ireland and internationally, Catherine has furthered her experience by developing and delivering wetland, coastal, and woodland conservation projects, engaging throughout the EU and internationally. Her research as part of BiOrbic, the National Bioeconomy Research Centre, focuses on developing mechanisms to structure, finance, monitor and communicate the direct impacts and broader societal benefits of nature restoration. A founding member of Natural Capital Ireland, she worked on the EPA funded research project INCASE, applying the UN SEEA Ecosystem Accounting framework at catchment scale in Ireland (2019-2022). Catherine has a strong commitment to community and business engagement and innovation through nature conservation and works to bridge and build connections from local / SME (bottom up) to national / corporate scales, while recognising the integral need for strong and functional governance systems (top down). Catherine works in an advisory capacity to ENGOs, and is Business Programme Advisor with the Business for Biodiversity Ireland Platform. Contact: farrec23@tcd.ie LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-catherine-farrell-4a73572/

Publications and Further Research Outputs

  • Farrell CA, Coleman L, Kelly-Quinn M, Obst CG, Eigenraam M, Norton D, O'Donoghue C, Kinsella S, Delargy O, Stout JC, Applying the System of Environmental Economic Accounting-Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EA) framework at catchment scale to develop ecosystem extent and condition accounts, One Ecosystem, 6, 2021, pe65582Journal Article, 2021, DOI , URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Farrell, Catherine A., Aronson, James, Daily, Gretchen C., Hein, Lars, Obst, Carl, Woodworth, Paddy, Stout, Jane C., Natural capital approaches: shifting the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration from aspiration to reality, Restoration Ecology, 2021Journal Article, 2021, DOI
  • Farrell, C. A., Coleman, L., Norton, D., Kelly-Quinn, M., Obst, C., Eigenraam, M., O'Donoghue, C., Kinsella, S., Smith, F., Sheehy, I., & Stout, J. C., Developing peatland ecosystem accounts to guide targets for restoration, One Ecosystem, 6, 2021Journal Article, 2021, DOI , URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Farrell, C.A. and Coleman, L. and Norton, D. and Kelly-Quinn, M. and Kinsella, S. and Obst, C. and Eigenraam, M. and O'Donoghue, C. and Sheehy, I. and Smith, F. and Stout, J.C., Applying ecosystem accounting to develop a risk register for peatlands and inform restoration targets at catchment scale: a case study from the European region, Restoration Ecology., 2022Journal Article, 2022, DOI , URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Gorman CE, Torsney A, Gaughran A, McKeon C, Farrell C, White C, Donohue I, Stout J, Buckley YM, Reconciling climate action with the need for biodiversity protection, restoration and rehabilitation, Science of the Total Environment, 857, (1), 2023, p159316Journal Article, 2023, DOI , URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Farrell C. A., Connolly, J. & Morley, T.R., Charting a course for peatland restoration in Ireland: a case study to support restoration frameworks in other regions., Restoration Ecology, 32, (7), 2024, pe14216Journal Article, 2024, URL
  • Farrell C, Aronson J, Daily G, Hein L, Obst C, Woodworth P, Stout J., Natural capital approaches: shifting the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration from aspiration to reality., Restoration Ecology, 2021Journal Article, 2021, URL
  • Martini, F., Conroy, K., King, E., Farrell, C.A., Kelly-Quinn, M., Obst, C., Buckley, Y.M., Stout, J.C., A capacity index to connect ecosystem condition to ecosystem services accounts, Ecological Indicators, 167, 2024, pe123Journal Article, 2024, DOI
  • Renou-Wilson, F., Moser, G., Fallon, D., Farrell, C.A., Müller, C., Wilson, D., Rewetting degraded peatlands for climate and biodiversity benefits: Results from two raised bogs, Ecological Engineering, 127, 2019, p547-560Journal Article, 2019, DOI
  • Andersen, R., Farrell, C., Graf, M., Muller, F., Calvar, E., Frankard, P., Caporn, S., Anderson, P., An overview of the progress and challenges of peatland restoration in Western Europe, Restoration Ecology., 25, (2), 2017, p271-282Journal Article, 2017, DOI
  • Wilson, D., Farrell, C.A., Fallon, D., Moser, G., Müller, C., Renou-Wilson, F., Multiyear greenhouse gas balances at a rewetted temperate peatland, Global Change Biology, 22, (12), 2016, p4080-4095Journal Article, 2016, DOI
  • Farrell, C.A., Doyle, G.J., Rehabilitation of industrial cutaway Atlantic blanket bog in County Mayo, North-West Ireland, Wetlands Ecology and Management, 11, (1-2), 2003, p21-35Journal Article, 2003, DOI
  • Michael Vardon, Paul Lucas, Steve Bass, Matthew Agarwala, Andrea M. Bassi, Diane Coyle, Anthony Dvarskas, Catherine A. Farrell, Oliver Greenfield, Steven King, Martin Lok, Carl Obst, Brian O'Callaghan, Rosimeiry Portela, Juha Siikamäki, From COVID-19 to Green Recovery with natural capital accounting, Ambio, 2023Journal Article, 2023, DOI
  • David Wilson, Francis Mackin, Juha-Pekka Tuovinen, Gerald Moser, Catherine Farrell, Florence Renou-Wilson, Carbon and climate implications of rewetting a raised bog in Ireland, Global Change Biology, 2022Journal Article, 2022, DOI
  • Renou-Wilson F, Farrell CA., Peatland vulnerability to energy-related climate change policy in Ireland: the case of wind farms, Mires and Peat, 4, 2009Journal Article, 2009
  • Gilet L, Habib W, Aitova E, Byrne KA, Farrell CA, Fenton O, et al., Peatland use and peat soil land cover types in Ireland: Implications for the calculation of GHG emissions in the context of climate action., Land Use Policy., 159, 2025, p107792Journal Article, 2025, URL
  • UNEP, Global Peatlands Assessment: The State of the World's Peatlands: Evidence for action toward the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of peatlands. Summary for Policy Makers., United Nations Environment Programme., 2022Report, 2022
  • Wilson D, Farrell CA, Muller C, Hepp S., Renou-Wilson F., Rewetted industrial cutaway peatlands in western Ireland: prime location for climate change mitigation?, Mires and Peat, 11, 2013Journal Article, 2013
  • Farrell, C.A. and Jane C. Stout, Irish Natural Capital Accounting for Sustainable Environments: Stage 1 Feasibility Report, Research Report: 322, EPA, July, 2020Report, URL
  • Stout, J.C., Farrell, C.A., Coleman L, Norton D, Kelly-Quinn M, Obst C, Eigenraam M, O"Donoghue C, Kinsella S, Smith F, Sheehy I, Kimmerman, S., Irish Natural Capital Accounting for Sustainable Environments (INCASE) (2018-NC-LS-2). EPA Research Evidence Synthesis Report., EPA Ireland, November, 2023Report, URL
  • Jane Stout, Maire Nic an Bhaird, Laoise Ni Chleirigh, Thomas P. Curran, Catherine Farrell, Nathan T. Wright, Beo, Raja and the Butterfly Effect, 2025, -Miscellaneous, URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Delargy O, Farrell CA, O'Hagan M, Stout JC., The Voluntary Nature Market in Ireland: State of Play., https://www.tcd.ie/media/tcd/business/pdfs/research/The-Voluntary-Nature-Market-in-Ireland---State-o, September, 2025Report
  • Farrell CA., Peatland Restoration: A Nature Based Solution, Proceedings of the 44th Annual IAH (Irish Group) Groundwater Conference: 'Groundwater & Nature Based Solutions'., The 44th Annual IAH (Irish Group) Groundwater Conference: 'Groundwater & Nature Based Solutions', Ireland, April 2024, edited by IAH Group , IAH, 2024Conference Paper
  • Farrell CA, Daly D. 2020, The Contribution of Limestones in Ireland to Natural Capital., The 40th Annual IAH (Irish Group) Groundwater Conference: Characterisation and Management of Groundwater in Limestones., Ireland., edited by IAH , 2020Conference Paper
  • Farrell, C.A., Feehan, J(ed.), After wise use: the future of peatlands., Tullamore, Ireland, Volumes I and II, (0951489046), June, IPS, Finland, 2008Proceedings of a Conference
  • Farrell, C.A.(ed.), Peatland Utilisation and Research in Ireland Dublin 2006, https://peatland.shop/products/Peatland-Utilisation-and-Research-in-Ireland-Dublin-2006-p772524378, Dublin, Ireland, IPS, Finland, 2006Proceedings of a Conference
  • Farrell CA., Peatland restoration in Ireland: a review of current practices., Peatland Utilisation and Research in Ireland., Dublin, Ireland, edited by Farrell, C.A. , 2006, pp30 - 36Conference Paper
  • Farrell, C.A., Post Industrial Management of a Peatland Site in County Mayo, West of Ireland: integrating peatland rehabilitation and sustainable energy production after-uses., The 12th International Peat Congress Tampere, Finland., Tampere, Finland, edited by Juhani Päivänen , I, IPS, Finland, 2004Conference Paper
  • Farrell, C.A., Delivering on promises: the Bord na Móna Biodiversity Action Plan 2012-2015., 14th International Peat Congress, Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden, June 2012, IPS, Finland, 2012Conference Paper
  • Farrell, C.A. & Doyle, G.J., Rehabilitation of Atlantic Blanket Bog Industrial Cutaway at Bellacorick, North-West Mayo., Towards a Conservation Strategy for the Bogs of Ireland., Dublin, Ireland., November 1997, edited by IPCC , 1998Poster
  • Farrell C.A., Stout JC., Irish Natural Capital Accounting for Sustainable Environments: A Literature Review., EPA, 2019Report
  • Ireland's natural wealth of Oceanic woodlands: reflections on hidden values. in, editor(s)R. O'Foghlu , Under Summer Pastures, Hometree, 2022, [Farrell, C.A.]Book Chapter
  • Clare Noone, Deirdre McClean, Danielle Gallagher, Jennifer McElwain, Peter Thorne, Brian Caulfield, Levke Cesar, Hannah Daly, Paul Deane, Mark Emmerson, Catherine Farrell, Stephen Flood, Kirsten Fossum, Eamon Haughey, Liam Heaphy, Flavio Lehner, Damien Martin, Gerard McCarthy, James McGrath, Connor McGookin, Abhay Menon, Róisín Moriarty, Conor Murphy, Enda O"Brien, Brian Ó Gallachóir, Tadhg O"Mahony, Jurgita Ovadnevaita, Paul Nolan, Tara Quinn, Florence Renou-Wilson, Agnieszka Stefaniec, Diarmuid Torney, David Wilson, Mariam Zachariah., Ireland's Climate Change Assessment Volume 1: Climate Science-Ireland in a changing world., https://www.epa.ie/publication, EPA, 2023Report
  • Farrell, C.A., An ecological study of intact and industrial cutaway Atlantic blanket bog at Bellacorick, north-west Mayo., 2001Thesis
  • Copland, A.S., Farrell, C.A. & Mark J McCorry, Breeding bird populations on the Oweninny cutaway peatlands, County Mayo., Irish Birds, 9, 2011, p197 - 208Journal Article
  • D Wilson, F Renou-Wilson, C Farrell, C Bullock, C Müller, Carbon Restore-The potential of Irish peatlands for carbon uptake and storage, EPA, 2012Report
  • Florence Renou-Wilson, David Wilson, Caítlin Rigney, Ken Byrne, C Farrell, Christoph Müller., Network monitoring rewetted and restored peatlands/organic soils for climate and biodiversity benefits (NEROS)., https://www.epa.ie/publication, EPA, 2012Report
  • Fallon, D., McCorry, M., Farrell, C. and Moran, J., Ten years in rehab: what have we learned in Mayo?, 14th International Peat Congress, Stockholm 2012., Stockholm, Sweden., June, 2012Conference Paper
  • McCorry, M., Copland, A., Egan, T., Fallon, D. and Farrell, C., Developing habitat management techniques to enhance the value of Bord na Móna cutaway raised bogs in Ireland for breeding waders., 14th International Peat Congress, Stockholm 2012., Stockholm, Sweden., June 2012, IPS Finland., 2012Conference Paper
  • Wilson, D., Renou-Wilson, F., Farrell, C., and Muller, C. 2012., Prime real estate for climate change mitigation: rewetted industrial cutaway peatlands in North West Ireland., 14th International Peat Congress, Stockholm 2012., Stockholm, Sweden., June 2012., 2012Conference Paper
  • Hoffman, et al., ALTER-Net: Science underpinning The EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy, SER Europe, Ghent, ALTER-Net, 2013Conference Paper
  • Farrell, C.A., What is Nature really worth?, Borris Festival of Writing and Ideas, Carlow, Ireland, June 2021, 2021, Borris Festival of Writing & IdeasInvited Talk

Research Expertise

To date my research has focused on: Natural capital approaches / accounting; Nature based Solutions; Nature finance and Nature restoration. I continue to build on my work to date, to: i) advance understanding of how businesses can develop credible nature strategies; ii) support business in relation to reducing their impacts and dependencies on nature (minimising risk and realising opportunities); and iii) building on ReFarm, work to identify ways to leverage private finance to support landowners to address the nature challenge. I continue to engage with policy developers to identify knowledge gaps and adapt lines of inquiry, as opportunities for funding, business engagement and innovation arise over time. Key areas of focus continue to be emerging thought areas in relation to nature credits, payments for ecosystem services, valuation methods for natural capital stocks and flows, sustainable finance, and delivery of nature positive actions through nature-related disclosure and natural capital accounting frameworks. This incorporates action research, directly linked to supporting delivery of national / EU targets set through the EU Green Deal Framework (CSRD, and relevant business and nature reporting frameworks such as TNFD). I am actively exploring collaborations with colleagues in EU Universities, in relation to these areas (incorporating diverse ranges of values as well as exploring the potential use of Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) alongside GDP).

  • Title
    TUNNIN IN
    Summary
    TUINNIN-IN is a collaborative project aimed at understanding the importance of Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) to Ireland"s marine ecosystems and society, and enhancing the sustainable management of the species into the future. It will take a multidisciplinary approach exploring available- and new data to furnish a variety of predictions and recommendations, and with several main objectives that will benefit the Irish economy and society while simultaneously enhancing ecological knowledge and management outcomes for ABFT in Ireland. TUINNIN-IN will resolve ABFT diet and trophic role using complementary dietary tracers; build distribution models to explain why ABFT abundance varies through space and time and predict how occurrences will shift in the future; adopt ecosystem accounting methods to reveal the broad economic and social benefits of ABFT to Ireland and how they can be maximized; and create a new research network to bring Ireland to the forefront as a leading European hub of tuna research. As well as being a primary research programme, TUINNIN-IN is also a partnership and networking platform, represented by a range of academics and policy advisers, and with a dedicated legacy building work package aimed at building long-term research capacity in Ireland, and to confer self-sustainability of the Postdoctoral Fellow as a future researcher leader.
    Funding Agency
    Marine Institute
    Date From
    July 2026
    Date To
    July 2030
  • Title
    INCASE
    Summary
    Irish Natural Capital Accounting for Sustainable Environments
    Funding Agency
    EPA Ireland
  • Title
    ReFarm
    Summary
    Project ReFarm was launched in 2024, in a bid to pilot nature restoration action on farms in Ireland, by means of leveraging private finance. The objectives of the project are to: support the creation of a funding structure that will enable businesses to invest in high impact nature-positive actions on farms in Ireland; enable farmers to take nature positive actions and as a result, earn a financial return for nature-positive outcomes on their farms; and complement and enhance the impact of existing agri-environmental and other funding schemes such as CAP, as well as supporting targets set through National Restoration Plans.
    Funding Agency
    BiOrbic
    Date From
    April 2024

Conservation and biodiversity, Environmental management, Other natural sciences, Ecosystem services (incl. pollination), Wildlife and habitat management, Environmental assessment and monitoring, Environmental education and extension, Environmental rehabilitation and restoration,

Recognition

  • Academic Scholarship (Zoology) 1994
  • Academic Scholarship (Environmental Science) 1995
  • Research Award Trinity Business School June 2025
  • Sustainability Leadership Award Trinity College Dublin March 2025
  • CIEEM present