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Project title

Irish Natural Capital Accounting for Sustainable Environments

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)

Lead Applicant

Jane Stout

Project Abstract

The proposed transdisciplinary, multi-institutional research project will develop Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) systems in Ireland. By reviewing approaches and data sources, and incorporating world-leading best-practice and approaches, this dynamic project will develop ecosystem and environmental flow accounts for Irish catchments. In addition, we will develop tools for data visualisation, quality assessment and framework development. Furthermore, we will conduct economic impact assessment to determine the projected impacts of future policy change, using the agri-food sector as an exemplar. The outputs from this project will advance academic and technical capabilities, address specific policy actions, build capacity and substantially improve understanding and implementation across a wide range of public and private stakeholders. The project team brings together different disciplines, organisations and expertise in an integrative way, with work by researchers in Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Limerick and National University of Ireland, Galway, along with non-academic partners. These partners include the lead author of the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting and the Executive Co-ordinator of the Irish Forum on Natural Capital (IFNC). This team has already established links with key stakeholders, and support for the project has been pledged by key organisations and institutions nationally and internationally. The expected outputs project include: 1. Three peer-review publications: a. Review of NCA approaches, including pros and cons of each approach and applicability in Irish setting (Journal of Environmental Management) (WP1) b. NCA case studies in Irish catchments (Science of the Total Environment) (WP2) c. Economic Impact Assessment (Land Use Policy) (WP3) 2. Discussion documents to facilitate national development and use of NCA a. Methodology for catchment-based NCA approach (WP1) b. Indicators of asset condition relevant to Ireland (WP2) c. Gap analysis (WP3) 3. Tools: a. Asset register and risk register (WP2) b. Live-updating database to monitor stocks and flows (WP3) c. Sectoral natural capital management frameworks (WP3) d. Input-output model on the impact of policy change on natural capital (WP3) 4. Capacity building: three postdoctoral research assistants will be trained in NCA methods, facilitating future research and implementation of these approaches in Ireland 5. Thought leadership: our approach will be disseminated internationally at suitable fora 6. Communications materials targeted to specific sectors of stakeholders, including website, infographics, and social media platform. 7. Policy-relevant materials: a. Policy briefing paper, highlighting the findings in general and applications to different sectors b. Synthesis report c. Technical report 8. Data sets

Grant Approved

�540,933.69

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Natural capital and ecosystem services including soils and biodiversity

Start Date

01/03/2019

Initial Projected Completion Date

28/02/2023