Environment - News & Events | Trinity College Dublin

Fewer staff, students are walking and cycling, survey finds

The numbers walking fell to 20% from a high of 28% in 2018, while the cycling rate was sharply down (-59%) from 2011.

20 Nov 2023

Community|Environment|Students

Plants might be able to absorb more CO2 from human activities than previously expected

This research paints an uncharacteristically upbeat picture for the planet, but despite the headline finding, the environmental scientists behind the work say it does not mean the world’s governments can take their foot off the brake in their obligations to reduce carbon emissions as fast as possible.

17 Nov 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Accounting for nature a priority for Ireland’s prosperity – new report

The team behind a pioneering project for nature, INCASE, has issued a series of recommendations to value, restore and protect Ireland’s resources through applying a natural capital accounting framework as a national priority.

15 Nov 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Why a surprise discovery, warming seas and the demise of the ‘Meg’ may spell trouble for sharks

Some unexpected shark strandings and subsequent surprises following autopsies have, ironically, taken marine biologists millions of years back in time as they look to the future with concern.

8 Nov 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Trinity joins pilot international sustainability education programme

The cohort of institutions will work closely with their students throughout the year to engage with the framework of good practice, effecting changes to teaching and learning at the top-down, middle-out and bottom-up levels.

2 Nov 2023

Culture|Environment|Students|Sustainability

New project chases net-zero renewable energy systems for the Atlantic Area

Researchers from Trinity are leading a €3.2 million project (HY4RES) that will see them develop hybrid renewable energy systems for the green transition of the Atlantic area of Europe.

19 Oct 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

Trees of the month – Santry Sports Grounds

We are doing something slightly different in honour of Climate and Biodiversity Action week by featuring not just one tree, but an entire woodland area filled with native and naturalised trees at Trinity’s Santry Sports Grounds. Here you will find Oak, Horse Chesnut and Pine trees along with more exotic species such as Sweet Chesnut, Ginkgo and Redwoods.

18 Oct 2023

Environment|Sustainability

Trinity students to represent Ireland at Enactus World Cup

Students from Trinity College Dublin will soon be jetting off to Utrecht to represent Ireland at the Enactus World Cup

3 Oct 2023

Business|Environment|Students

Five Fellows to develop Trinity’s programme of Education for Sustainable Development

Trinity has announced a new strategic initiative to embed Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) throughout the curriculum. Five members of academic staff from across all three faculties have been seconded to work with Trinity’s Centre for Academic Practice (Trinity Teaching & Learning) and Trinity Sustainability.

2 Oct 2023

Environment|Research|Sustainability

Trinity's trees - featuring the Southern Magnolia

This month we are bringing you Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as the Southern Magnolia. It is located just behind the 1937 Reading Room in the Provost’s Garden. This is a mature specimen of M. grandiflora and measures 16 m in height with a girth of 1.2 m, but they can grow to 35 m in height.

28 Sep 2023

Environment|Sustainability

High-end geospatial technology company ai mapit spins out of Trinity

ai mapit, a spinout company from the SFI ADAPT Centre at Trinity, has launched into the global geographic information systems (GIS) market with a revolutionary geotagging solution that promises to enhance productivity, reduce operational costs and carbon footprint by minimising the number of site visits.

26 Sep 2023

Business|Environment|Innovation|Research

Embody your own avatar, channel your inner medieval scribe, and sign up for botany bootcamp at the START Festival

From medieval scribes to virtual avatars and 16th century brewing to contemporary birth stories, the rich and varied world of academic research will be celebrated at the START Festival at Trinity College Dublin on Friday 29th September.

25 Sep 2023

Trinity scientists secure prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowships

Ecologist Dr Richard Nair and immunologist Dr Craig McEntee have secured the awards, funded in Ireland by Science Foundation Ireland, are given to outstanding scientists in the early stages of their research careers who have the potential to become leaders in their field.

22 Sep 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Health|Research|Science

Range of pesticides, including neonicotinoids, found in pollen of different bee species

New research paints a worrying picture for the different species of bees that provide multi-million-euro pollination services in Ireland each year.

19 Sep 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Researchers join National Challenge Fund to help Ireland prepare for green transition and digital transformation

Six researchers from Trinity – who make up four teams – are among those taking part in the latest round of the National Challenge Fund. While pursuing different projects, they share the goal of helping Ireland prepare for its green transition and digital transformation.

11 Sep 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Research|Sustainability

New project will improve EU hydropower sustainability with potential to save €1 billion per year

Researchers from Trinity will lead a €4.1 million Horizon Europe project to develop digital solutions that improve the efficiency, flexibility and sustainability of the existing EU hydropower fleet. The project will make a huge impact on energy sustainability in the EU, where 50% of the current hydro fleet may require upgrading by 2030.

7 Sep 2023

Environment|Innovation|Research|Sustainability

Trinity Tree of the Month – the Banana tree

This month we are featuring the Banana tree, or Musa acuminata, which is one of our unique indoor trees located in the O Reilly atrium. This plant can grow to seven metres tall and has leaves that are up to four metres long. These plants absorb a large amount of carbon to produce leaves and fruit, but quickly release it once fruited and die back occurs. Musa acuminata originated in Southern Asia and some reports suggest the plant has been in cultivation for close to 7000 years.

24 Aug 2023

Environment|Science|Sustainability

Tangent and Green Tech HQ launch climate accelerator for construction sector

This programme is open to innovators and entrepreneurs with new solutions in low carbon and green design, circular materials, energy and maintenance systems

11 Aug 2023

Business|Environment

Trinity tree of the month- the Kentucky Coffee Tree

This month we are featuring the Gymnocladus dioicus, commonly known as the Kentucky Coffee Tree, which was planted in 2020 on the boardwalk side of College Park. It is currently 5.6 metres tall, 25 cm in girth, and can grow to almost five times its current size. When mature it will store up to 1200 kg of carbon.

1 Aug 2023

Community|Environment|Sustainability

Shark shock – scientists discover filter-feeding basking sharks are warm-bodied like great whites

Approximately 99.9% of fish and shark species are “cold-blooded”, meaning their body tissues generally match the temperature of the water they swim in – but researchers have just discovered the mighty basking shark is a one-in-a-thousand exception.

20 Jul 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Hubs offering electric cars, e-bikes and e-cargo bikes to test potential of shared e-mobility to decarbonise transport

Researchers from Trinity, together with collaborators from the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), ESB and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, will lead a €1.35 million shared electric mobility project.

19 Jul 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Research

Green Tech Skillnet provides 30% discount on selected Trinity green courses

Trinity is pleased to announce that Green Tech Skillnet, an organisation dedicated to fostering skills and expertise in the field of green technology, will provide a 30% discount for learners pursuing several of Trinity's green diplomas and micro-credential courses.

7 Jul 2023

Awards and Funding|Environment|Students|Sustainability

The weeds shall inherit the Earth

Human land use is now comparable to climate in driving global patterns of plant occurrence, with new research showing that species are not affected equally; slow-growing plants like trees are less able to cope with more intensive human land use than disturbance-tolerant species like grasses.

4 Jul 2023

Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

The tide of medicinal plants and natural products is rising: conference hears

Trinity hosts the 71st GA2023 conference to explore the opportunities of unlocking nature’s pharmacy

3 Jul 2023

Environment|Health|Innovation|Research|Sustainability

No Mow May gives life to rare orchid

A rare orchid has appeared on Trinity's campus as an unexpected outcome of its decision to allow wildflowers bloom in the month of May. Trinity stopped mowing several formal lawns across campus for the month of May as part of the international No Mow May initiative. This allowed wildflowers like clovers and daisies to bloom and provided food for pollinating insects, which are currently in decline.

3 Jul 2023

Environment|Sustainability

Trinity tree of the month - Black Walnut

This month we are bringing you another gorgeous tree from Trinity College Botanic Gardens – Juglans nigra, or Black Walnut. This Black Walnut is 25 metres tall, has a girth of 2.62 metres and stores an estimated 2,617 kilograms of carbon. It can store up to 6,000 kilograms when it matures.

21 Jun 2023

Environment|Sustainability

Reframing active travel planning is key to creating more cycling and walking-friendly towns and cities

Researchers from the Centre for Transport Research analysed a sample of 150 public consultation submissions opposing redistributive active travel measures put forward as part of an ‘Active School Travel’ scheme in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.

21 Jun 2023

Environment|Research

Cryo conservation – a cool solution to saving species from extinction

In the face of the biodiversity crisis, and alarming data showing a 69% decline in global animal populations since 1970, researchers are banking on a cool solution to help save species from extinction.

20 Jun 2023

Environment|Research|Science

National economies recover faster when countries are powered by renewable energy

Researchers from Trinity looked for patterns in data from 133 systemic economic crises that affected 98 countries over a 40-year span en route to their main finding, which has profound implications for global energy policy.

14 Jun 2023

Business|Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

Trinity renovation project to create innovation hub in Silicon Docks

Portal is financed through a combination of government support, philanthropy and university investment. The hub in a former warehouse will link industry with Trinity's pioneering research.

7 Jun 2023

Business|Environment|Innovation|Research