2017 Press Releases
ERI tackles global environmental challenges
The three core environmental challenges of climate action, circular economy and healthy environment will be the focus of research at the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) for the next four years.
UCC President, Professor Patrick O’Shea launched the ERI’s Strategic Plan 2018-2022 which is aligned with major international programmes and initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the 7th EU Environment Action Programme.
Originally established in 2000, the ERI has grown considerably over the past 17 years and currently brings together over 300 researchers drawn from 17 UCC Schools and Departments and affiliated research centres including; the MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy, the Centre for Research on Atmospheric Chemistry (CRAC), the Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre (AFDC), the UN Environment GEMS/ Water CDC (UN GEMS), the Cleaner Production and Promotion Unit (CPPU) and the Centre for Law and the Environment (CLE).
The ERI has a unique and outstanding physical space for conducting research. The Institute has substantial research facilities at its two dedicated buildings on the Lee Road, Cork and the Beaufort Building, Ringaskiddy along with environmental research facilities across UCC campus. The ERI Buildings have over 7000 m2 of offices, laboratories, workshops and incubation suites for industry. The Beaufort Building houses Ireland’s National Ocean Test Facility (LIR-NOTF) which has a suite of state of the art wave tanks and electrical rigs to support the offshore renewable energy sector and the maritime industry.
Across the Institute’s considerable base of knowledge and expertise, the ERI has core competencies in five broad research platforms of environment, energy, marine, materials, agriculture and food. Over the next four years, the Institute will be drawing on the strengths of this multidisciplinary team to develop comprehensive solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges facing society today