SETU hosted the third annual Business of Biodiversity seminar at its Summerhill Road campus in Wexford.
The event was officially opened by Dr Janette Davies, Deputy Head of Campus, who highlighted SETU’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and the importance of embedding biodiversity principles across education, research and campus operations. The seminar featured expert speakers from Teagasc, Allied Irish Bank (AIB), High Performance Building Alliance (HPBA), Mark Mitchell Publishing, and Business for Biodiversity Ireland.
Dr Saorla Kavanagh, Research Officer in Farmland Biodiversity with Teagasc, addressed the ecological and agricultural dimensions of biodiversity, emphasising the importance of protecting natural systems that underpin food production and rural economies and aligning with business objectives.
Dr Lael Walsh, Senior Research Officer at Teagasc, delivered a presentation on Life Cycle Thinking in Business, highlighting how organisations can assess environmental impacts across the full lifecycle of products and services, from raw material sourcing through production, use and end-of-life. Her contribution reinforced the importance of evidence-based decision-making in achieving measurable biodiversity and sustainability outcomes.
From a finance perspective, Liam Phelan outlined initiatives within Allied Irish Bank aimed at supporting biodiversity and sustainability, particularly within the context of agribusiness and responsible finance in Ireland.
Mark Mitchell of Mark Mitchell Publishing outlined the sustainability and biodiversity skills and competencies needed to succeed in today’s graduate landscape, highlighting the growing demand for environmental literacy and cross-sectoral expertise.
Caroline Cawley of Business for Biodiversity Ireland discussed the implications of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Regulation (CSRD) and outlined practical strategies for businesses seeking to integrate biodiversity into corporate strategy and reporting frameworks. Amanda Stewart, CEO of the High Performance Building Alliance, explored the role of the built environment in supporting biodiversity, demonstrating how sustainable building design and construction practices can contribute to nature-positive outcomes.
The seminar concluded with remarks from Jer O’Mahony, Chair of the IFA Environmental Committee, who reinforced the importance of collaboration between industry, education and policymakers in addressing biodiversity challenges.
Michelle Maher from the SETU Sustainability Office outlined key sustainability initiatives underway across the University. Representatives from EU CONNEXUS, WWETB and GreenTech also highlighted programmes and courses available in the South-East region that support green skills development and sustainable enterprise.
"The range of speakers at this event reflected the importance of biodiversity and sustainability in our societies and our economies. The world of work will continue to be hugely impacted by our need to innovate and build sustainable businesses. The development of green skills to support the growth in green jobs, across all sectors of the economy, is not only necessary but also an opportunity for current students and graduates to apply their skills in creative ways to shape a sustainable and diverse future."
Mark Mitchell Seminar speaker
"This was an event that granted students the opportunity to get a clearer understanding of biodiversity and how it affects not just agriculture and agribusiness, but business as a whole."
Enda Shanahan Sustainable Farm Management student
The event was organised by Dr Eamon Nolan and Ailish O’Brien at SETU’s Wexford Campus and was funded through the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (SATLE). Students and staff from programmes in Sustainable Farm Management and Business participated, reflecting SETU’s commitment to equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills required to support a more sustainable future.
For further information on the event, contact Ailish O’Brien at [email protected]