The Future of Sustainable Food Production

18 Mar 2025

Dr Gaurav Rajauria is Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Food Fermentation in the School of Microbiology and the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences.

Dr Rajauria has recently been selected as Lead Author by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for their Methodology Report on Short-Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs). The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. The selection of Dr Rajauria is the first time a UCC researcher has been selected as an IPCC Lead Author since Professor Tony Lewis was selected for the IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation in 2011.

What is your research focused on?

I am passionate about the circular bioeconomy and its potential to create sustainable solutions. My research explores how we can transform agri-food and marine waste or side stream into valuable biobased products using microbes and clean technologies. My research group BioREFINE is working to build closed loop biorefineries that produce everything from food ingredients to biobased materials and fertilisers, ensuring nothing goes to waste and contributing to a healthier planet.

What do you love about your research?

Biorefineries are transformative! My 15 years in circular biorefinery research have shown me their incredible potential for a sustainable future. What excites me most is their adaptability - we can replace nearly every fossil-based product. But it is more than just products; it is about redesigning entire economies. I am passionate about working with biological systems, empowering communities, and respecting ecological limits. This holistic approach is essential for addressing complex environmental challenges, and it is what I have dedicated my career to.

What is the potential impact of your work?

My research delivers impact on economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social well-being, with a particular focus on rural development. By utilising renewable resources and waste to create value-added products, my work contributes to reducing carbon emissions, improving food security, and a circular economy. This work directly fosters economic growth and creates new livelihood opportunities in rural areas, where biomass resources are abundant.

What is the one thing you think the public should know about climate change but do not hear enough about?

We constantly talk about the planet that we will leave behind, but with climate change accelerating so drastically and so rapidly, our focus must shift. We need to prioritise our own survival now, rather than solely considering future generations. Recognising this truth is where meaningful action begins, and begins urgently. From there, even the smallest actions become significant in shaping our planet's future.

What is the significance of your role as the IPCC lead and what will it involve?

The IPCC plays a critical role in informing climate action by providing comprehensive scientific assessments. As a Lead Author for the IPCC's Methodology Report on Short-Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs), my work involves reviewing and assessing global scientific and technical information to refine methodologies on measuring emissions. These updated methods will enable countries to accurately report their SLCF emissions. IPCC reports, including this methodology report, are essential for governments globally to develop effective climate policies and are pivotal in international climate change negotiations, such as those under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and the Paris Agreement.

In November 2024, Dr Rajauria’s research was featured on Episode 4: Feeding the Future in RTÉ’s ‘10 Things to Know About’ programme, and on Episode 6, a woolly story; car battery reboot; and carbon pawprint in RTÉ’s ‘Heated’ programme.