Tirlán highlights the importance of partnership for true transformation at key Sustainability Conference

Ireland’s potential to be an ‘agrarian superpower’ was highlighted at AIB’s Sustainability Conference that explored the global climate challenges and opportunities amid a growing world population.

Less than 48 hours after the COP 29 brought together nearly 200 countries in Baku, Azerbaijan, over 800 people joined the eighth AIB Conference in the RDS and a further 10,000 online as it explored the transition to a low carbon future at a global and local level.

Tirlán had the opportunity to highlight the importance of partnership and the role that co-ops can play in addressing challenges collaboratively to deliver change.

Tirlán’s Chief ESG Officer Lisa Koep highlighted the action being taken along the supply chain to reduce the carbon footprint, as she joined a panel including influential macroeconomist Sony Kapoor; Gonzalo Muñoz, Chair of Food Strategy, NSA Directive Committee, COP 28; and Nicholas Reynolds, Head of ESG at O’Brien Fine Foods.

With ‘low hanging fruit’ already actioned on the drive to lower emissions, the discussion moved towards the future cost of delivering and adapting to new technologies.

“Having been a first mover in a lot of these instances, it is challenging for us now as a lot of the ‘win-win’ scenarios are gone. Energy efficiency and environmental management systems has happened decades ago for us now. So it is more challenging for us to go after these innovations,” said Lisa Koep.

“What we are talking about is quite expensive shifts in farm practices which require funding. So when we look at it – how we support that funding is key. Firstly, grant aiding or incentives, access to finance and returns in the market place. The added value to the process in the chain needs to be reflected in the price.”

The conference spoke about growing concern over the physical impact of climate change at a global level with extreme weather events, yet the positives were also highlighted, with new technologies and innovation accelerating the potential for change.

The growing requirement for food security was also addressed in line with growth in the world population as it now tops eight billion.

Following his discussions at COP 29 conference, Gonzalo Muñoz finished on a positive note by highlighting acceleration in the pace of new technology, the potential around renewables and energy generation.

Despite the many challenges, including methane produced by the rumen of cattle and sheep, Sony Kapoor spoke to the potential of Ireland to become an ‘agrarian superpower’ in a world where there is growing demand by six billion people if progress continues to be made on GHG emissions.

Less than 48 hours after COP29 concluded, the conference heard from a number of global thought leaders including Hollywood actor Edward Norton and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity and former President Mary Robinson, who highlighted the need for long view leadership with co-creation by different generations to help move towards solutions.