TU Dublin has joined a landmark national research initiative, Decarb-AI, a new Innovate for Ireland National Centre designed to bring together leading researchers to accelerate Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient future. This €5.7 million initiative, established in partnership with AIB and Research Ireland, represents Ireland’s first Innovate for Ireland National Centre and will harness the power of artificial intelligence to address critical climate challenges.
Leading the Charge in Climate Innovation
The centre is led by Principal Investigator Professor Andrew Parnell from the UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics, with TU Dublin’s involvement spearheaded by Vice President for Research and Innovation, Dr Dympna O’Sullivan. Dr O’Sullivan emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration, stating that AI provides new opportunities to navigate and understand the trade-offs that define climate action, linking complex data, policy and real-world impact.
Building a Pipeline of Climate AI Talent
Decarb-AI will recruit 30 iScholars over three intakes, with the first eight already underway. This diverse global cohort represents researchers from China, Ghana, India, the UK, France, Ireland and Kenya, all undertaking fully funded, four-year PhDs. Two iScholars have already commenced their research at TU Dublin:
- Purity Biwott, supervised by Dr Emma Murphy, is exploring the interpretability of AI-driven climate models for non-expert decision-makers
- Raja Prabha Poolpandy, supervised by Dr Ciara Ahern, is analysing low-energy commercial buildings, the risks they pose to financial institutions, and how green finance can accelerate their decarbonisation
Cutting-Edge Research Areas
Research at Decarb-AI will focus on applying cutting-edge AI technologies to climate mitigation and adaptation challenges across Ireland. Key areas include:
Renewable Energy and Sustainability
* AI-optimised renewable energy systems and datacentre sustainability
* Machine learning for water quality forecasting and peatland restoration
* Earth observation and biodiversity modelling for land-use policy
Financial Innovation for Climate Action
* AI-supported sustainable finance tools for SMEs
* Transparent AI decision-support systems for real-time decarbonisation planning
Collaborative Network of Excellence
The programme is delivered through a collaborative network of leading Irish institutions including University College Dublin (lead institution), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Technological University Dublin, University of Limerick, University of Galway via the Irish Centre for High-End Computing, and University College Cork.
Join the Climate AI Revolution
Recruitment is now underway for the second cohort of iScholars. Applications are invited from ambitious candidates with backgrounds in AI, data science, engineering, environmental science, ecology, geography, finance, and related disciplines, who are eager to develop high-impact AI solutions for climate resilience.
This initiative represents a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of climate innovation, combining cutting-edge AI technology with urgent environmental challenges. The Decarb-AI centre is not just conducting research—it’s building the talent pipeline and technological solutions that will shape Ireland’s sustainable future.
Learn More About Decarb-AI
For more information about the Decarb-AI initiative and how to apply for the iScholar programme, visit the official Innovate for Ireland website. This is your chance to contribute to Ireland’s climate resilience through the power of artificial intelligence and join a national effort that’s setting new standards in climate research and innovation.
