Charlie Coakley, sustainable business manager of Uisce Éireann, drops in to discuss the sustainability framework of Uisce Éireann, Ireland's state-owned water utility company. We explore the company's role in providing clean drinking water and appropriate treatment of waste water, the challenges posed by climate change, and the importance of energy efficiency in water treatment. Charlie outlines the ambitious goals of the 2025 Sustainability Framework, including achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, Biodiversity net gain on all projects, and implementing nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment.
The discussion also highlights the significance of social inclusion and public engagement in achieving these goals, as well as the future of water supply projects in the Eastern and Midlands Region, which would involve the extraction of water from the Parteen basin of the river Shannon.
Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links
Uisce Éireann's website: www.water.ie
Uisce Éireann's Sustainability Framework: https://www.water.ie/about/sustainability/sustainability-framework
Ireland ranks 10th highest in the EU for domestic water use: https://smartwatermagazine-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/smartwatermagazine.com/news/locken/water-ranking-europe-2020?amp
Integrated Constructed Wetlands project at Dunhill, Waterford: https://www.water.ie/help/wastewater/wetlands/dunhill-wetlands
Sludge Drying Reedbeds: https://www.water.ie/projects/local-projects/carlow-sludge-reed-beds
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43:32
S5E6: Eirgrid – The Future of Ireland’s Electricity Grid
In this episode, engineer and energy industry veteran Errol Close chats to Daithí and gives us an illuminating (pun intended) look at how Ireland keeps the lights on - literally. From how we trade power with the UK and soon France, to what happens when storms like Eowyn hit, Errol breaks it all down. You’ll hear why renewable energy makes grid management feel more like weather forecasting, how we hit a once-ambitious 40% renewables target, and what’s being done to get us to our latest targets. Whether you're into climate, renewable energy, or just curious where your power comes from - this one’s worth a listen. Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links:
1. Eirgrid - https://www.eirgrid.ie/
2. Celtic Interconnector - https://www.celticinterconnector.eu/ga/
3. CRU (commission fo regulation of utilities) https://www.cru.ie/
4. Government Target of 80% share of renewable electricity generation by 2030: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/accelerating-renewable-electricity-taskforce/
5. EPA projecting only 68% renewable energy share by 2030: https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/air-emissions/irelands-greenhouse-gas-emissions-projections-2024-2055.php
6. Data Centres are projected to account for up to 30% of Ireland's electricity demand by 2030: https://www.thejournal.ie/data-centres-to-account-for-almost-one-third-of-irelands-electricity-demand-by-2034-6658382-Mar2025/
7. The impact of data centres 'capacity payments' on energy bills: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/consumers-energy-bills-set-to-rise-further-as-more-data-centres-will-add-to-costs/a633724800.html
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37:52
S5E5: Protecting Our Peatlands
In this episode, Daithí speaks to Hugh McLindon, the District Conservation Officer with the National Parks and Wildlife Service for Wicklow.
They cover lots of ground, from what makes a peatland, to how they come to exist and the realities of bog restoration in Ireland.
With the NWPS doing lots of work on restoring the Special Area of Conservation in the Wicklow National Park, Hugh tells Daithí about his own experience as a Park Ranger and the shift in culture that he has seen in his 30 years of working with the NPWS, a shift that has given him great hope for the future and enthusiasm for the work being done!
Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links:
NPWS Website: https://www.npws.ie/
Blanket Bogs in Ireland Factsheet: https://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/peatland-habitat-types/blanket-bogs/
Raised Bogs in Ireland Factsheet: https://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/peatland-habitat-types/raised-bogs/
Ireland referred to EU court for failure to protect peatlands: https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2024/03/13/ireland-referred-to-eu-court-for-failure-to-protect-bog-lands-and-curb-turf-extraction/
SUAS Project: https://suaseipproject.ie/
Special Areas of Conservation SAC map Ireland https://www.npws.ie/protected-sites/sac#:~:text=Special%20Areas%20of%20Conservation%20(SAC)%20are%20prime%20wildlife%20conservation%20areas,well%20as%20an%20Irish%20level.
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43:48
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43:48
S5 E4: Jennie C. Stephens – Ecofeminism and Energy Democracy
In this episode Daithí speaks to Jennie C. Stevens, Professor of Climate Justice from NUIM, and a feminist scholar and activist. They dive deep into the urgent need for climate justice and the transformative changes required to tackle the climate crisis.
From unpacking the damaging effects of extractive economic systems to exploring how eco-feminism can guide our approach, Jennie highlights the interconnectedness of human health, ecosystem health, and social justice.
She debunks the myth that climate action means sacrifice and challenges the influence of powerful industries on universities and public policies, advocating for energy democracy—where local communities have control over their own energy systems. Feeling overwhelmed by climate anxiety? Jennie offers hope, emphasizing that collective action is the antidote, and it’s happening right now.
Tune in to discover why climate justice is about much more than the environment—it’s about equity, empowerment, and creating a better future for all!
Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links:
1. Jennie's Website and Books (Climate Justice and the University; Diversifying Power): https://www.jenniecstephens.com/books
2. Climate Justice Universities Union: https://www.climatejusticeuniversitiesunion.org/
3. Greta Thunberg - 'The Climate Book': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Climate_Book
4. 'The Squad' - left-wing coalition in the US House of Representatives: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squad_(U.S._Congress)
5. Fridays for Future: https://fridaysforfuture.org/
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44:26
S5E3: Change Clothes Dublin – Clothes Swapping and Circular Fashion
In this episode, Daithí speaks to Mary Fleming, the founder of ChangeClothes.org, a social enterprise that sprang up in Crumlin to address accessibility and habits around second-hand clothing.
Starting as just a week of events in her local area a few years ago, Change Clothes has grown into a thriving organisation, providing training and workshops in upcycling and sustainable fashion alongside its highly anticipated swap shops.
Mary talks about what inspired her to start making changes in her own life and how she was frustrated by the messaging around sustainability and the inaccessibility for low-income people.
Daithí and Mary discuss the importance of looking at what we stand to gain with climate action and the positive effect that a sense of fun and community can have.
Thanks very much to Sorcha O'Carolan Murphy for support with research, design and promotion.
Links
1. Change Clothes Website: https://www.changeclothes.org/
2. EPA statistics on Irish Textile Waste: https://www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/circular-economy/textiles-national-attitudes--behaviours-surveys/
3. Second-hand clothes market burns down in Kantamanto, Ghana: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/feb/24/ghana-clothes-market-fire-kantamanto-rebuild
4. Amendments to EU Waste Framework Directive to include more circularity of textiles: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_548
5. French 2024 legislation tackling fast-fashion: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/15/france-fast-fashion-law-environmental-surcharge-lower-house-votes
The Climate Ambassador Podcast is a new look at climate change, incorporating what we have learned from the Climate Ambassador Programme, chatting to guests, while also investigating the overlaps into other areas of life. We will explore topics such as food, agriculture, biodiversity, climate change in the media, student activism and much more. We hope you will join us on our journey of discovery on a diverse range of topics, helping to connect the dots and share what solutions we can all take.
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