Ireland's Oireachtas approved Carbon Budgets on 6th April 2022 for the period 2021-2025 (195 Mt CO2) and 2026-2030. CCAC Carbon Budgets Technical Report.

Academics associated with the work: 

Hannah Daly, Brian O'Gallachoir, Andrew Smith (UCC), Lisa Ryan, Aoife Aherne, Paul Price (UCD) and David Styles (UL).

Evidence of policy outcome referencing the role of the research:

The Government note on the agreed carbon budgets (referred to above) stated that "Modelling and analysis undertaken by University College Cork, Teagasc and University of Limerick informed the CCAC's calculations for the carbon budgets. This modelling illustrated the quantity of GHGs that would be emitted under difference scenarios, that ultimately lead to Ireland meeting the overall target of 51% reduction in GHGs by 2030".

Research undertaken that informed/underpinned the policy outcome:

The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) established a Committee on Carbon Budgets that considered UCC modelling on the energy system Carbon Budget Scenarios for Ireland's Energy System, Teagasc modelling on agriculture and UL modelling on land use. This research is summarised in the Carbon Budget Technical Report, along with the proposed carbon budgets that were adopted Carbon Budgets.

Key learnings from this research-policy bridging process

The Climate Change Advisory Council Committee on Carbon Budgets effectively established an innovative mechanism for policy co-production between researchers, State Agencies and Government Departments. It highlights the fourth dimension of bridging between research and policy, from informing, engaging underpinning and co-producing policy. An additional dimension was the researchers being called before an Oireachtas (Parliamentary) Committee to provide evidence based on their research findings.

SDGs impacted: 7, 13, 15

Academics associated with the work:

Paul Deane, Sean Collins, Brian O' Gallachoir, UCC in collaboration with Dolf Gielen, Asami Miketa, Deger Saygin and Laura Guiterrez in IRENA (international Renewable Energy Association)

Evidence of policy outcome referencing the role of the research:

The new EU Renewable Energy Directive referenced an EU-IRENA report Renewable Energy Prospects for the EU  which stated in the Executive Summary that "Adispatch model based on Plexos software and developed in co-operation with University College Cork";

Research undertaken that informed or underpinned the policy outcome:

The authors modelled the EU power system and undertook a number of scenarios with different levels of renewable generated electricity. The results showed that the EU could integrate a 50% share of renewable electricity by 2030. This was published in the journal Energy Strategy Reviews. This research then underpinned the above mentioned collaborative EU IRENA report and the increase in RE target.

Key learnings for you from this research-policy bridging process

Collaboration and partnership with organisations is more impactful than individual research. The partnership between UCC and IRENA was hugely beneficial both from a research perspective and in terms of impact. IRENA hosted one of UCC's PhD researchers for six months, which enabled this collaboration.

SDGs impacted 7 & 13

Academics associated with the work:

Hannah Daly, Fionn Rogan, Brian O' Gallachoir, Olexander Balyk and Tomas Mac Uidhir, Sustainability Institute, University College Cork.

Evidence of policy outcome referencing the role of the research:

On page 119 of theClimate Action Plan 2023 , it states "DPER is currently working with UCCto revise the shadow price of carbon, informed by updated research on the marginal abatement cost of reaching our climate targets." Also page 280 refers to Climate Ireland that was established by UCC. "Climate Ireland ... plays a key role in increasing awareness of, and building capacity for, adaptation planning through one-to-one support and the provision of tailored adaptation planning workshops and seminars."

Research undertaken that informed or underpinned the policy outcome:

UCC energy systems modelling contributed quantification of analysis relating carbon budget pathways Balyk et al. 2022, diffusion rates of different energy technologies Mac Uidhir et al, 2022 and role of local authorities in mobilising climate action.

Key learnings for you from this research-policy bridging process

Translating the research results into policy insights and engaging with policy makers is critically important in bridging between research and policy. An important mechanism utilised for Climate Action Plan 2023 was the establishment by the Department of Energy, Climate and Communications of working groups for a number of the chapters. These working groups include 6 researchers from UCC.

SDGs impacted 7 & 13