The Climate Ambassador Podcast

In this episode, Daithí talks all things circular economy with Aidan Ó Gormáin from Community Resources Network Ireland (CRNI), and Helen Nolan from Spraoi agus Sport. The conversation uncovers the central role that community has in driving the circular economy, as well as the invaluable services CRNI provides to its members, such as advocacy, policy dissemination and setting up communities of practice in a variety of disciplines. They also talk about the supports available to organisations working in the circular economy, the agility of community reuse organisations to respond to local problems, and what developments future policy changes may bring to this fast-evolving sector. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.



Links:

Community Resource Network Ireland: https://crni.ie/

Aidan Ó Gormáin email: aidan@crni.ie

Spraoi agus Sport, Carndonagh, Donegal: https://spraoiagussport.ie/

Work-Integrated Social Enterprises: https://wiseireland.ie/social-enterprise/

The Rediscovery Centre, Ballymun: www.rediscoverycentre.ie

Change Clothes, Dublin: www.changeclothes.org

Community Recognition Fund: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/services/community-recognition-fund/

Reach funding: https://www.solas.ie/pages/reach-fund/

Circuléire - The circular economy innovation grant scheme (CEIGS): https://www.circuleire.ie/ceigs

Carrickmacross Toy Library: https://cmxtoylibrary.ie/

Research finding that Ireland’s circularity is 7% lower than the EU average: https://circularity-gap.world/

Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/whole-of-government-circular-economy-strategy-2026-2028-accelerating-action/

Textile Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Europe from 2028: https://www.reconomy.com/2026/03/03/textile-epr-europe-2028/

EU Circular Economy Act, due for implementation in late 2026: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy_en

In this episode, Clodagh Daly joins Daithí to talk about the work of the Centre for Environmental Justice. In a wide-ranging discussion about environmental justice, and how access to it in Ireland, Clodagh shares how the centre was established in response to the realisation that many of the issues being experienced by clients of Community Law and Mediation, an independent law centre and charity, were in fact environmental in nature. She goes on to discuss some of the threats to environmental justice in Ireland, including potential limitations on who can seek a judicial review in the case that an individual wishes to challenge a decision made by a public body or lower court. The conversation finishes with some advice for how you can support their work, and practical and empowering ways of fighting for environmental justice at an individual and community level. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.





Links:

1. Centre for Environmental Justice (Community Law and Mediation): https://communitylawandmediation.ie/centre-for-environmental-justice/

2. Andrew Jackson, UCD: https://people.ucd.ie/andrew.jackson

3. Climate Case Ireland: https://www.climatecaseireland.ie/

4. Report on Environmental Justice in Ireland, 2022: https://communitylawandmediation.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Environmental-Justice-in-Ireland-230322-1.pdf

5. Law society submission on the Scale of Fees Regulations: https://www.lawsociety.ie/news/news/Stories/is-the-proposed-scale-of-fees-in-environmental-judicial-reviews-fair/

6. Civil Reform Bill: https://communitylawandmediation.ie/change/community-law-mediation-submission-on-the-general-scheme-of-the-civil-reform-bill/

7. An Taisce and Friends of the Irish Environment action on the scale of fees: https://www.thejournal.ie/judicial-review-environment-legal-costs-7094223-Jul2026/?utm_source=shortlink

8. Climate Justice for Future Generations Case (2024), and Climate Action Plan Case (2023): https://communitylawandmediation.ie/centre-for-environmental-justice/climate-and-environmental-casework/

9. Not here not anywhere: www.notherenotanywhere.com

10. Stop Climate Chaos: www.stopclimatechaos.ie

11. Friends of the Earth: www.friendsoftheearth.ie

12. Manual of Environmental Justice: https://envjusticemanual.com/

This episode celebrates the 10th year of National Climate Action Week in Ireland. Cathy Baxter and Monica Mullins of An Taisce join Daithí to reflect on the origins of Climate Action Week and its shaky launch amidst Storm Ophelia, the growth of the festival to now hosting over 200 events nationwide, and some personal highlights from over the last 10 years. They also explore the supporters, champions and innovative ideas that have contributed to the success of the initiative, as well as their hopes for Climate Action Week into the future. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.

Links

An Taisce: ⁠www.antaisce.org⁠

Green Schools Water Ambassador Programme: ⁠Water Ambassador Programme | Green-Schools⁠

Second-hand September: ⁠Home - Secondhand September⁠

⁠www.climateactionweek.ie⁠

Project Management Institute – Ireland Chapter: ⁠Welcome | Ireland Chapter of PMI⁠

Monaghan Circular Economy Conference: ⁠Circular Economy in Action Conference 2026 - Climate Action⁠

Donegal Climate Action Expo: ⁠Donegal County Council to Host Major Climate Action Expo in Letterkenny | Donegal County Council⁠

Tipperary Re – Live Sports Gear Initiative: ⁠Re - Live Sports Gear Initiative | Tipperary County Council⁠

Fabric of Change Carlow Fashion Hub: ⁠Empty Shop To Become A Fashion Hub for Carlow Climate Action Week⁠

RTÉ Rush Hour Race, 1979: ⁠RTÉ Archives | Environment | Commuter Race⁠

An Taisce’s Rush Hour Race re-enactment: Rush Hour Race: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/reel/490849278137146⁠

Clean Coasts: www.cleancoasts.org

Bull Island Conservation Meitheal 2025: https://climateactionweek.ie/events/north-bull-island-conservation-meitheal/

Green Campus: www.greencampusireland.org

Young Reporters for the Environment: ⁠www.yreireland.org⁠

In this episode, Daithí is joined by Brendan Dunford and Clive Bright from Farming for Nature to speak about the role farmers can play in protecting and working alongside our natural ecosystems. Brendan and Clive explain how Farming for Nature are working to change the narrative around the relationship between farmers and nature and to create an inclusive space which gives farmers a voice and offers them the skills and resources to take action for the environment. As the Creative Director, having worked on many similar initiatives, Brendan has great insight into how best to incentivise and empower farmers to uphold their stewardship practices through providing them with the information, support, and funding whilst allowing them autonomy over their actions. Clive, an organic beef farmer and Farming for Nature Ambassador since 2019, is a great example of the programme’s success as he speaks on how farming for nature, by introducing regenerative farming methods or creating habitats through ponds, has created a feedback loop of increased biodiversity, productivity, and profit on his farm. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.

Links:

1. Farming for Nature: https://www.farmingfornature.ie/

2. FFN Festival - https://farmingfornaturefestival.ie/

3. FFN Handbook - https://www.farmingfornature.ie/product/farming-for-nature-handbook/

4. Burren Life Programme - https://www.npws.ie/research-projects/burren-life-programme

5. Burren Programme - http://burrenprogramme.com/

6. NPWS Farm Plan Scheme: https://www.npws.ie/farmers-and-landowners/schemes/npws-farm-plan-scheme

7. Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/campaigns/agri-climate-rural-environment-scheme-acres/

8. Burrenbeo Trust (Heritage Keepers, The Hare’s Corner, Project ReFarm): https://burrenbeo.com/

We are very happy to be joined in this episode by two Climate Ambassadors with An Taisce from 2025 – Brian and Craig (a.k.a. Soilboy). Through a shared passion for soil, they discuss how it is the bedrock of natural systems and of our food system and share their experiences of getting people engaged with this precious entity under our feet! Also explored are techniques for growing in confidence as a speaker, managing mental health, and people’s shifting attitudes towards farmers and ecologists. They also share their experience as participants in the Climate Ambassador Programme. Thanks very much to Emma Sheridan for support with research, design and promotion.



Links:

Airfield Estate: www.airfield.ie

Talamh Beo: www.talamhbeo.ie

Irish Organic Association: www.irishorganicassociation.ie

Craig’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feetonthesoil/

Social Farming Ireland: www.socialfarmingireland.ie

Applications to the Climate Ambassador Programme for 2027 are open now: www.climateambassador.ie