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Project Code [2023-CE-1240]

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Project title

Foresight and Horizon Scanning for Climate, the Environment and Sustainability

Primary Funding Agency

Science Foundation Ireland

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Environmental Protection Agency

Lead Organisation

Science Foundation Ireland (DCU)

Lead Applicant

Tadhg O'Mahony

Project Abstract

Strategic foresight is a “structured and systematic way of using ideas about the future to anticipate and better prepare for change. It is about exploring different plausible futures that could arise, and the opportunities and challenges they could present”. In 2021, the OECD, working with ‘Our Public Service’, published the report Towards a strategic foresight system in Ireland, supporting the development of Ireland’s capacity in this area. Strategic foresight can be used to identify the early signs of oncoming disruptive change, and to reframe and broaden the scope of what is considered relevant in policy making. In the context of climate change and associated environmental and sustainability challenges, and the critical role of research and innovation in addressing these, as highlighted in for example Impact 2030 and the Climate Action Plan 2023, it will be essential that national investment is directed to areas of research that will be most impactful. The development of a foresight system could support this by identifying emerging trends, knowledge and technology gaps, and research priorities for possible futures to 2050 and beyond. It is envisaged that the outputs of this project will inform future national research priorities in the areas of climate, the environment and sustainability, and support research funding organisations in the development of the most impactful and internationally competitive research funding programmes. The EPA has statutory responsibility for the coordination of environmental research in Ireland, and as such would be an appropriate organisation to host a Fellow to conduct this wide-reaching nationally relevant project.

Grant Approved

�50,902.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

01/02/2024

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/09/2024