AIB & Teagasc Join Forces to Champion Teagasc Signpost Programme

AIB and Teagasc recently co-hosted a Sustainability event aimed at raising awareness in the broader business community about initiatives undertaken by Teagasc researchers and farmers in support of the Climate Action Plan.  The Climate Action Plan’s objective to achieve a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 within the agricultural sector.

The event was hosted in Johnstown Castle  and in his opening remarks Diarmuid Donnellan, AIB’s Head of Sustainability, Agri Food & Fisheries highlighted the challenges facing the agricultural sector and emphasized the extensive support AIB can offer its customers.

Dr. Karen Daly, Head of Research at Johnstown, and Colm Doran, Signpost Advisor at Teagasc, addressed the audience, outlining the many innovative research initiatives that are being undertaken in Johnstown.  They also provided some detail around how Teagasc plan to encourage adoption of same at farm level.

Colm said “As a Signpost Climate Advisor, my brief is to reach as many farmers and farming people as possible. The aim being to inform and educate the majority of farmers on the measures that can be taken to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. This collaboration with AIB is a great opportunity to get momentum for the Signpost Advisory programme with some of the agricultural stakeholders in the south east. Collaboration of industry, policymakers, and farming organisations is crucial to achieving our agricultural emission targets and moving towards a more sustainable farming future.”

A particularly engaging portion of the event featured Shay Ryan and John Crowley, dairy and tillage signpost farmers, who were interviewed by Liam Phelan, AIB Agri Advisor. They shared open and honest insights into the challenges they face and the proactive initiatives they are implementing on their farms to reduce their carbon footprint and protect water quality.

This event aimed to reach a diverse group of stakeholders, including farm lobby groups, politicians, educational institutions, media outlets, accountants, solicitors.

There was a lively question and answer session where the farmers provided their insights on topical discussions such as environmental, social, and financial sustainability.

Liam Phelan, AIB Agri Advisor, noted, “AIB is really delighted to be one of the stakeholders in the signpost programme. It was great to hear from two signpost farmers who shared their experience and spoke to the steps and measures they’re implementing on farm to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.”

This event was part of a series of co-hosted Agri sustainability briefings in Kilkenny, Dungarvan and Wexford by AIB and Teagasc.