Actions for Nature - Resourcing climate action for 2024

In the month that launched Actions For Nature – Ireland’s new National Biodiversity Action Plan, are you getting familiar with the All Ireland Pollinator Plan signs that are starting to be a feature of every waymarked trail in our area?

How often do we see and hear advertisements for solar power, wind energy, better waste solutions? These great initiatives are just some of the many positive things that we are all enjoying on our Climate Action Journey.

In 2022 both North and South Tipperary Development companies worked with partners across Kilkenny and Laois and Irish Company VeriConnect to deliver The NoreVision.

This has resulted in the Nore River Catchment Trust which exists so the communities in the Nore catchment can collectively take actions that will help improve the quality of the river and its tributaries.

PIC: Mary Bary, Sarah Bourke from South Tipperary Development Company and AnnMarie McSorley, Ceri Connect, on the successful completion of the first phase of the NoreVision Project.

VeriConnect began as a female led start up 2016. Grown from a one person business they now employ 20 people on both sides of the border and have trained over 20,0000 people in Sustainability and Climate Action since the Pandemic. The team has supported a just transition, for many communities for their efforts in sustainability.

Veri Connect’s team of Ecologists deliver training in an innovative way. Whether in the field, online instructor sessions for those with poor access, or even virtual reality, animation or video.

In 2023 to engage our new communities, we translated some of our programmes into Ukrainian using the outdoors as a nature based classroom. Local Development, County Councils and private companies have used Veri Connect to resource sustainability programmes nationwide.

Covering courses on Water and Land Biodiversity as well as Energy and carbon reduction, they were one of the first Irish companies to supply an accreditation which can upskill leaders on our Climate Action 101. They have also developed Micro Credentials for Green Skills which are available through the ETB sector.

Even Semi State agencies have recognised that innovation and blended solutions are the solution for scalable change. In 2023 the ESB awarded the contract for resourcing and delivering the Sustainability Navigator and Essentials Programme to the Veri Connect Team.

With over 6000 staff to complete the training online and 80 Sustainability Navigators currently working online and in the field with experts to STEP into Sustainability change for the better.

Veri Connect wants to ensure that the Tipperary local authority, communities and companies can access the expertise and resources they might need for their own Climate Journeys. Visit www.vericonnect.ie or scan the QR code to view the new training hub, where if you click community you will see a suite of programmes.

We know that there are many people in the Tipperary region carrying out great work for a more sustainable future.

Speaking at the launch of the new National Biodiversity Plan this week Minister Malcolm Noonan said: "Nature is in trouble, but I believe that it can recover. In my time as minister, I have visited projects and initiatives the length and breadth of the country; walked fields, hillsides, bogs, rivers, urban parks, community gardens, coastlines and hedgerows.

"I have met the most extraordinary people bringing passion, expertise and dedication to bear on the protection and restoration of habitats and wildlife. What they need more than anything is to be empowered to keep going, and do more."

PIC: Minister of State, Malcolm Noonan, at the VeriConnect office with Dr Amanda Greer Director of Sustainability at Veri Connect and a team of Agriculture Science teachers.

Transitioning to new energy sources and a more sustainable way of living is perceived as a great opportunity by 45% of Irish and 54% of global respondents. Energy transition alone won’t be enough. To address climate-related risk new initiatives are needed.

Should you need a team of Environmental experts to resource your upcoming projects are community ideas why not contact VeriConnect at 01 9060969.

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