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UCC researchers to provide a roadmap for Ireland’s government-wide circular economy strategy
A University College Cork (UCC) researcher will lead a major national project to find practical sustainable solutions to increase Ireland’s use of recycled materials in businesses.
The ‘Supporting and scaling up the just transition to the circular economy’ (Scaling4JustCETransition) project will tackle a major gap in circular economy research in Ireland by seeking to increase the use of recycled materials from the current 2% to match or better the EU average of 12%.
The study, led by Dr Bernadette Power, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Business at the Department of Economics in UCC, will provide clear recommendations for scaling up Ireland's circular economy while also addressing social challenges. The research ensures that proposed solutions are not only economically sound and environmentally beneficial, but also fair to all communities and capable of building public trust. This approach will give policymakers practical strategies for achieving Ireland's circular economy goals while making sure no community is left behind in the transition.
Scaling4JustCETransition will work with multiple groups - businesses, consumers, government, and communities - to test what infrastructure, financial support, and systems work best for growing the circular economy. Behavioural choice experiments will determine what encourages businesses and consumers to adopt circular practices. This will include testing what will support online marketplaces for recycled materials, regional recycling facilities, take-back programs for products, training programs for workers, innovation centres, and sharing platforms. The project will also test financial incentives like tax breaks on recycled products, government co-investment, and premium pricing for green products.
"This research will provide Ireland with a roadmap for transforming our economy from wasteful to circular while ensuring no community is left behind. By engaging in circular practices, we are not just protecting our environment - we are creating new jobs, supporting workers through the transition, and building an economy that works for everyone," said Dr Bernadette Power.
Scaling4JustCETransition will focus on fairness and inclusion by examining how the transition affects people's jobs, health, wellbeing, and communities. The impacts on different groups including new and existing businesses, social organisations, start-ups, and both consumers who already participate in circular activities and those who do not, will also be a focus of this work.
The Scaling4JustCETransition project team at UCC is led by Dr Bernadette Power and project members include Professor Geraldine Ryan, Dr John Eakins, Dr Gordon Sirr and Professor Justin Doran from Cork University Business School, and Dr Tracy Skillington from the Department of Sociology.
"This project will show policymakers exactly how to scale up circular practices fairly and inclusively, creating lasting benefits for Irish society. It is also fantastic to have Dr. Claire Downey and Dr. Jack McCarthy from The Rediscovery Centre on board with us as research partners and David Scanlon from Resolve Partners as an advisor to this project," added Dr Power.
Scaling4JustCETransition, awarded €658,242 in funding, is one of twelve national projects to be awarded a total of €7.6 million in the EPA Research Call Awards, to address a range of areas covering climate change, the natural environment, the green and circular economy, and the environment and human health. The funded research will address key knowledge gaps and support the development of vital research capacity in Ireland.
Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said: "The increased scale of research funding being announced by the EPA in 2025 reflects the critical role that research and innovation play in addressing climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity decline. This new EPA funding will help develop innovative solutions to support Ireland’s response to these challenges. Congratulations to the successful researchers and I look forward to hearing more about these exciting projects in the years ahead."
Professor John Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation said: "I would like to congratulate Dr Bernadette Power and the extended project team on receiving this significant award that will combine business with sustainable practices and inform government on its national circular economy policy. Sustainability is embedded in research across UCC, and this award will further strengthen UCC’s position as a recognised global leader in this field."