Sowing Seeds of a Greener Future - Veri Connect at All-Ireland Sustainability Summit ‘24

How often do we see and hear advertisements for solar power, wind energy, better waste solutions? These great initiatives are just some of the many positive things that we are all enjoying on our Climate Action Journey.

A recent survey overseen by Danielle McComick, founder of the All-Ireland Sustainability Summit, sought businesses' understanding and attitudes towards sustainability in 2024.

The findings indicate that 74% of surveyed businesses have established targets relating to sustainability or climate for this year, with more than half of those surveyed stating that reaching 'net zero' (53%) and environmental, social and governance (56%) are high priority areas for their business or workplace in the coming year.

Focusing on this journey, the All-Ireland Sustainability Summit, returned for its third year earlier this month.

The summit was an all-Ireland event that saw professionals and those passionate about sustainability, from diverse sectors across the island of Ireland, gather to engage with industry experts and peers on everything ‘green’, as businesses strive to remain at the forefront of sustainability. 

Locally, during 2023 Carlow County Development Partnership worked with Irish Company Veri Connect to deliver ‘Sustainable Communities Biodiversity Training’.

Brenda Mulhall, PR Specialist at CCDP said: “As a company, we were delighted that we selected Veri Connect to deliver our Sustainable Communities Biodiversity Training programme. The programme was delivered and driven by experts ensuring that the learner experience was targeted and of value.

"Veri Connect made the programme a great success. We look forward to working with them in the future.” VeriConnect, their training company for the project will also be speaking at the Summit about the Carlow Project and their work across the country  around Sustainability.

Around 250 attendees passionate about advancing sustainability in Ireland attended the All-Ireland Sustainability Summit and Yosef Dvores, Veri Connect’s lead ecologist, joined an exciting panel of experts to discuss their work in Carlow and other projects. 

Pictured is Yosef Dvores, lead ecologist and speaker, with Veri Connect's Northern Ireland team Noleen O'Neill and Orla Sullivan at the All-Ireland Sustainability Summit 2024.

Veri Connect’s team of Ecologists deliver training in an innovative way. Whether in the field, online instructor sessions for those with poor access, or even virtual reality, animation or video. 

In 2023 to engage our new communities, we translated some of our programmes into Ukrainian using the outdoors as a nature based classroom.

Local development companies, county councils and private companies have used Veri Connect to resource sustainability programmes nationwide.

Covering courses on water and land biodiversity as well as energy and carbon reduction, we were one of the first Irish companies to supply an accreditation which can upskill leaders on our Climate Action 101.

We also have developed Micro Credentials for Green Skills which are available through the ETB sector. 

Even semi-state agencies have recognised that innovation and blended solutions are the solution for scalable change. In 2023, the ESB awarded the contract for resourcing and delivering the sustainability navigator and essentials programme to the Veri Connect team.

With over 6,000 staff to complete the training online and 80 sustainability navigators currently working online and in the field with experts to STEP into sustainability change for the better. 

Veri Connect wants to ensure that local government, communities and companies can access the expertise and resources they might need for their own climate journeys.

Visit vericonnect.ie or scan the QR code to view our new training hub, where if you click community you will see a suite of programmes.

We know that there are many people in Carlow who are carrying out great work for a more sustainable future.

Speaking at the launch of the new National Biodiversity Plan, Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, said: “Nature is in trouble, but I believe that it can recover. In my time as minister, I have visited projects and initiatives the length and breadth of the country; walked fields, hillsides, bogs, rivers, urban parks, community gardens, coastlines and hedgerows.

"I have met the most extraordinary people bringing passion, expertise and dedication to bear on the protection and restoration of habitats and wildlife. What they need more than anything is to be empowered to keep going, and do more."

PICTURE: Minister of State, Malcolm Noonan, at the Veri Connect office with Dr Amanda Greer director of sustainability at Veri Connect and a team of Agriculture Science teachers

Transitioning to new energy sources and a more sustainable way of living is perceived as a great opportunity by 45% of Irish and 54% of global respondents. Energy transition alone won’t be enough. To address climate-related risk new initiatives are needed. 

Should you need a team of Environmental experts to resource your upcoming projects are community ideas why not contact Veri Connect at 01 9060969.

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