Climate and Biodiversity Week 2026 - Marine

Come chat to us in the atrium on the SETU Waterford Campus, between 10.00am – 1.30pm: 

• Reduce Your Energy Use – Chat with an Energy consultant to learn more about what you can do to reduce the amount of energy you use – in association with Aramark 
• The Sustainable Development Office will have a stand in the atrium on SETU Waterford to meet with staff and students. More information here. 
• Healthy Campus will be available to talk about the various initiatives ongoing for this academic year. More information here. 
• Student Sustainability Society - Students can sign up to become members. Connect with them here. 

The Sustainable Development Office is developing a new Sustainability Champions Programme at SETU. We have some initial ideas but want to work with students to develop a programme that is designed with students, for students.

We’re inviting students to join us for a one hour focus group (with lunch!) to help shape the programme. 

The session will include a short introduction to our initial ideas, followed by an informal discussion about what the programme could look like, what would encourage students to get involved, and the kinds of activities and opportunities you would like to see included.

No previous experience or knowledge of sustainability is needed, we simply want your ideas and perspectives.

• Event open to: All SETU Students
• Venue: GrowthHub, Cork Road Campus, Waterford 
• Time: 1.15 - 2.15pm 
• Organized by: SETU Sustainable Development Office 
• Link: Click here to confirm your attendance

The 2030 SDGs Game is a multiplayer, in-person, card-based game that simulates taking the “real world” into the year 2030. The game highlights the importance of balancing the three pillars of People, Planet and Prosperity, and invites participants to explore the mindset and actions that are required to advance sustainability. 

• Event open to: First year students from the Geography, Environment and Sustainability module 
• Time: 9.15 -11.15 am 
• Organized by: Department of Arts
• Link: Fully Booked 

The SDG Game is available throughout the year so if you are interested in booking this training, please find more information and the registration form here:  

Find out more about the SDG Game

A practical free workshop demonstrating simple DIY approaches to collecting and using rainwater. As part of Carlow Climate Action Week, this practical free workshop demonstrating simple DIY approaches to collecting and using rainwater. Participants will explore low-cost ideas that can reduce mains-water use and improve resilience.

• Event open to: The session is aimed at householders and community groups interested in practical solutions. Places are limited to 24 participants and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Venue: An Gairdin Beo, Dublin Road, Carlow
• Time: 1.00 - 4.00pm
• Click here to book your place.

Green Campus Carlow are delighted to have submitted an application to An Taisce for a Green Flag under the theme of Litter & Waste before the summer break. The Carlow Campus formally registered onto An Taisce’s Green Campus programme to pursue this ‘Green Flag’ in January 2019. They have been working towards this application with the support of the Sustainability office, Estates and other departments within the campus since. Members of An Taisce will visit the Carlow campus for the on-site assessment on the 13th of October. This will involve a tour of the Carlow campus, presentations on the application and a Q&A session between the panel, committee and the Sustainability office. 

We would like to wish everyone involved with the on-site assessment the best of luck. 

Come chat to us in the atrium on the SETU Carlow Campus, between 10.00am – 1.30pm: 

• Reduce Your Energy Use – Chat with an Energy consultant to learn more about what you can do to reduce the amount of energy you use – in association with Aramark 
• The Sustainable Development Office will have a stand in the atrium on SETU Carlow to meet with staff and students. More information here. 
• Healthy Campus will be available to talk about the various initiatives ongoing for this academic year. More information here. 
• Student Sustainability Society - Students can sign up to become members. Connect with them here. 

Does your community have a green space, large or small? Would you like to know more about how to create a community meadow or a pocket forest?
SETU, Waterford Trees for Life, and Waterford City & Council Council would like to invite community groups to a special outdoor session to learn how to create a community nature space.
Topics will include:

1. Gardening for pollinators, senses and therapy in communities (Yvonne Grace, SETU)
2. Native tree selection for tree planting (Tom Kent, SETU)

3. Community Action – How to engage residents and groups (Brian Jacob, Waterford Trees For Life)

    

• Venue: Cafe at SETU Arena, West Campus, Carriganire, Waterford, X91XD96
• Booking: Spaces are limited and booking is required: please contact Cian Gill at [email protected]

Exploring innovation, regional cooperation and the sustainable development of our maritime future, European Maritime Week aims to strengthen the resilience and inclusivity of our coastal communities.

Led by SETU Design Lecturer and Researcher Joy Rooney, the initiative is supported by colleagues from across SETU, EU-CONEXUS, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, external stakeholder organisations and local community groups.

Under the theme ‘Understanding Our Past – Designing Our Future’, SETU European Maritime Week will bring together researchers, students, maritime and environmental organisations and local communities through a programme of research, public and community events.

Other events include: 

• An intergenerational community event with Tramore Eco Group and local Sea Scout groups in County Waterford from 10am to 12 noon on Saturday, 17 October 
• An ecological workshop on Sunday, 18 October with a community and schools event in Kilmore Quay, County Wexford, from 10am to 2pm, involving SEAschool and local Sea Scout and Venture groups.
• Free public seminar, ‘The Decolonisation of Maritime Ireland – Reclaiming Indigenous Design’, at the Granville Hotel, Waterford, at 7pm on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. To book your place, please click on the link here. 

Click here for more information.

As part of European Maritime Week, the Marine Spatial Planning Challenge Workshop, is an internationally recognised simulation used by policymakers, planners, researchers, and stakeholders worldwide to explore the challenges and opportunities of sustainably managing our oceans and seas.

Following an introduction to Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP), participants will take part in an interactive simulation, working together to develop a maritime spatial plan while balancing competing priorities such as renewable energy, shipping, biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, and economic development. This engaging workshop offers an opportunity to explore the complexities of marine and coastal decision-making and the importance of collaborative approaches to sustainable development.

• Facilitated by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) in collaboration with the SETU Sustainable Development Office.
• Venue: Room A116B, First Floor, College Street Campus, Waterford 
• Time: 11.00am - 1.30pm
• Click here to register

As part of SETU European Maritime Week, hear about from Faculty about their collaborative research projects supported by the EU-Conexus Seed funding initiative and learn more about the opportunities available within EU-Conexus for all students, staff.   

• Event open to: All SETU staff and students
• Venue: Health Sciences Boardroom, Cork Road Campus, Waterford 
• Time: 2.00 - 3.30pm
• Organised by: EU-Conexus
• Click here for more information and to register.

The Sustainable Development Office is developing a new Sustainability Champions Programme at SETU. We have some initial ideas but want to work with students to develop a programme that is designed with students, for students.

We’re inviting students to join us for a one hour focus group (with lunch!) to help shape the programme.

The session will include a short introduction to our initial ideas, followed by an informal discussion about what the programme could look like, what would encourage students to get involved, and the kinds of activities and opportunities you would like to see included.

No previous experience or knowledge of sustainability is needed, we simply want your ideas and perspectives.

• Event open to: All SETU students
• Venue: Learning Lab, SETU Carlow Campus
• Time: 1.15 - 2.15pm 
• Organized by: SETU Sustainable Development Office 
• Link: Click here to confirm your attendance

• Event open to: Open to All.
• Venue: SETU Arena
• Time: 10.00am - 2.00pm 
• Info: RepairFest is a celebration of repair, reuse, making and sharing skills. Alongside Repair Stations, we’ve got a fantastic programme of expert-led workshops covering everything from mending and upcycling to bike repair and DIY skills. Bring along clothes or household items in need of repair, meet local repairers, and learn new skills along the way. RepairFest is free to attend, but workshop places must be booked in advance and spaces are limited. 
• Find out more and book your place at RepairFest. 

The Sustainable Development Office is developing a new Sustainability Champions Programme at SETU. We have some initial ideas but want to work with students to develop a programme that is designed with students, for students.

We’re inviting students to join us for a one hour focus group (with lunch!) to help shape the programme.

The session will include a short introduction to our initial ideas, followed by an informal discussion about what the programme could look like, what would encourage students to get involved, and the kinds of activities and opportunities you would like to see included.

No previous experience or knowledge of sustainability is needed, we simply want your ideas and perspectives.

• Event open to: All SETU Students
• Venue: Room 207, SETU Wexford Campus
• Time: 1.15 - 2.15pm 
• Organized by: SETU Sustainable Development Office 
• Link: Click here to confirm your attendance

How can Ireland’s maritime past help us respond to the challenges facing our coastal communities today?

Members of the public are invited to join SETU for ‘The Decolonisation of Maritime Ireland – Reclaiming Indigenous Design’, a free public seminar exploring contemporary maritime challenges through the lenses of heritage, indigenous knowledge, ecology, culture and design.

As part of SETU European Maritime Week, this event is hosted by SETU’s Creativity and Culture Research Group (CCRG) in partnership with EU-CONEXUS. The seminar will consider how learning from the past can help us rethink our relationship with our coast and ocean and contribute to more resilient coastal communities.

• Venue: The Granville Hotel, Waterford, X91 XH5R
• Time: 6.45pm–9pm
• Click here for more information and to register