Funded under the Irish Research Council (IRC)’s New Foundations Programme, this policy workshop is one of a number of fact-finding events organised to explore how sustainable finance solutions can address biodiversity loss on the island of Ireland. The workshop will take place 19 May 2023, from 9am to 3pm in the Tourism and Leisure Building, South East Technological University Cork Road Campus in Waterford.
Speakers include:
- Dr Una FitzPatrick, Senior Ecologist with South East Technological University National Biodiversity Data Centre
- Paul Doheny, Head of Client Coverage and Lending in the UK for Rabobank
- Orlaith Delargy, Nature and Biodiversity Lead at KPMG
The organisers of this event are: Sheila O Donohoe, Professor of Finance at South East Technological University School of Business in Waterford, and Lisa Sheenan, Assistant Professor of Finance at Queens University Belfast.
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on Earth critically important for the provision of food, health, medicines, recreation and wellbeing. Together with nature biodiversity makes life possible with nature accounting for more than half of global GDP (European Commission 2020). The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2022 ranked biodiversity loss the third most severe threat to humanity in the next decade. The provision of finance is crucial in achieving the ambitious goals set out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Diversity Framework and the EU’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy in helping to reset our relationship with nature.
Who should attend?
This workshop is targeted at industry practitioners and policy makers who want to learn more and contribute their views on how sustainable finance can help in addressing biodiversity loss.
How to register
Register to attend before May 15th here: https://forms.office.com/e/VPFpMjDpvZ
If you require any further information email: [email protected]
Speaker Bios
Dr Una FitzPatrick, Senior Ecologist with the National Biodiversity Data Centre which is based out at South East Technological University West Campus in Waterford. Una has a wealth of experience from her post-doctoral work in Trinity College Dublin before joining the National Biodiversity Data Centre team in 2007. In 2015 she co-founded the first All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and the second plan, (2021-2025) which she currently co-ordinates. This plan is aimed at halting the decline of pollinators in Ireland initially and with the long term aim of growing the numbers again through a range of measures aimed at reinstating habitats in agricultural land, public roads & parks as well as in private gardens. This multi-faceted plan and approach involves all stakeholders has been widely recognised and adapted. It is also being used as a shining example of how best to tackle the issue in other areas the world. Úna is also responsible for the plant and vegetation work programmes of the Data Centre. This includes management of the National Vegetation Database and contributing to development of the Irish Vegetation Classification System. She is also the author of five published field identification guides to Ireland’s biodiversity.
Paul Doheny, Head of Client Coverage and Lending in the UK for Rabobank. A graduate of SETU’s Bachelor of Business Hons and Masters of Business in Economics and Finance in Waterford, Paul commenced his career in banking via AIB Capital Markets Graduate Programme after which he joined Rabobank as a relationship manager and has worked with them both since in Europe and in the US. Today he heads a team whose client base includes large consumer groups and food suppliers. From its humble origins as a small agricultural cooperative bank first founded by Dutch farmers and horticulturists in the late nineteenth century, Rabobank is now a multinational bank active in 40 countries and a leading bank in the food and agriculture sectors with a mission of growing a better world together. Through its ‘Banking for Food’ strategy, it seeks to play a prominent role in the social debate concerning the wider food issue and in doing so connect producers, consumers, farmers and the public with each other to make a relevant and sustainable contribution to the global Food & Agri sector in the future.
Orlaith Delargy, Nature and Biodiversity Lead at KPMG. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin and holder of an Masters of Science in Environmental Economic and Policy from Imperial College London, Orlaith has held roles as an analyst of ESG data in the UK, before returning to work for Natural Capital Ireland as their Executive Coordinator, subsequently joining KPMG as an Associate Director in 2022 where her role involved developing sustainability strategies for clients in a range of sectors including waste, MedTech and agri-food. Today as the Lead her work entails supporting KPMG member firms across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region in delivering nature and biodiversity services to clients.
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
