This event is part of the Environmental Resilience lecture series, co-organised by the IIEA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On this occasion, Clare Miflin argues that sustainable, prosperous and liveable cities of the future will need to be ‘zero waste’. She highlights that waste is a design flaw and that circular material systems can help regenerate cities, communities, and surrounding ecosystems for a healthier and more resilient future. Ms Miflin also outlines the important role that design of the built environment plays in the transition away from a linear economy and towards a circular economy.  

In her address, Ms Miflin draws on her experience as the development-lead of the Zero Waste Design Guidelines for New York City. These guidelines serve as resource and inspiration for architects, urban designers and developers to help cities across the world reach zero waste goals.

About the Speaker:

Clare Miflin is an architect and systems thinker with over 20 years of experience designing buildings to the highest environmental standards. She is Certified as a Biomimicry Professional, Architect, Passive House Designer, and LEED professional. Ms Miflin led the development of the Zero Waste Design Guidelines for New York City, through a multidisciplinary collaborative process. These Guidelines serve as resource and inspiration for architects and developers to help cities reach their zero waste goals and are being disseminated and implemented through the Center for Zero Waste Design. Since 2017, Ms Miflin has served as co-chair of the American Institute of Architecture NY ‘Committee on the Environment’.

Clare Miflin - Designing for Zero Waste: Strategies from New York City

Ireland finally beat New Zealand in 2016.
With brilliant commentary from New Zealand TV and previous heartbreak from RTE Radio one and idiotic predictions from Second Captains.

Music: 
Wisdom from Brian Jonestown Massacre https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/tepid-peppermint-wonderland/id1056856909

And Wasting My Young Years by London Grammar
https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/if-you-wait-deluxe-version/id675018027

"Drops it off to Henshaw!" - Ireland Beat The All-Blacks

Tackling climate change is one of the main challenges of the 21st century. Last November the latest UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report warned that we have just 12 years left for effective action to be taken against rising temperatures.

Over the past decade the European Union has led action for climate targets among Member States. In 2015, under the landmark Paris Climate Agreement, the EU committed to reducing emissions by 40% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

While some EU member states have made significant progress in meeting their targets, others including Ireland, are lagging behind in meeting these commitments. Meeting these targets will require ambitious action by Member States to reduce emissions in key economic sectors. The agricultural sector is one of Ireland’s most important industries, yet it accounts for over 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, making it the single largest contributor to Ireland’s total emissions. There is an urgent need to reconcile the need for urgent climate action and the need to protect the agricultural sector’s competitiveness and the livelihoods that depend on it.

Political leaders and policymakers have to find solutions to this challenge now. This is not a challenge faced by Ireland alone. Across Europe, policymakers and politicians are looking for solutions. In France, the Yellow Vest protests were initially sparked by increased carbon taxes. Clearly, a considered but effective approach to climate action is required to ensure a just transition and minimal economic and social disruption.

This event is part of the IIEA’s Future of the EU27 Project, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Event Chair: Niall Delaney, Presenter, Ocean FM
Audience Q&A Begins at: 36:36

Speakers:

· Marian Harkin, outgoing MEP for the Midlands/North West Constituency;

· Martin Kenny TD, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food & the Marine;

· Thomas Cooney, Chairman of the IFA National Environment Committee

· Dr Pippa Hackett, Green Party Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, Forestry, Heritage & Animal Welfare.

Climate Change and the Future of Agriculture: A Debate on the Future of Europe

Sharing Ideas Shaping Policy. The Institute of International and European Affairs is an independent policy research think-tank based in Dublin.

Clare Miflin - Designing for Zero Waste: Strategies from New York City

IIEA

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