TU Dublin Researchers Secure €766,000 EPA Funding for Sustainability and Resilience Projects
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded over €766,000 to three TU Dublin research teams under its 2025 Research Call, supporting innovative projects focused on climate action, infrastructure resilience, and greener laboratory practices. This funding is part of a national investment of €6.5 million for 24 projects addressing critical environmental challenges.
National Research Investment Targets Climate and Environmental Priorities
The EPA’s 2025 funding round reflects the urgent need for cross-sectoral research to inform public policy and practical implementation. The funded projects span four priority areas: climate change, the natural environment, the green and circular economy, and environment and human health. Several awards are co-funded with partners including Met Éireann and the Office of Public Works, highlighting the collaborative nature of this research.
Dr Eimear Cotter, EPA Deputy Director General, emphasized the importance of this research: “We face complex challenges in becoming a resilient, competitive and sustainable society. Research, such as that funded through the EPA Research Call, will play a vital role in supporting robust policy- and decision-making while ensuring the protection of our environment and climate.”
TU Dublin’s Successful Projects
ReLoop: System Design and Policy Roadmap for B2B and Trade Packaging in Ireland
Dr Swarna Jaiswal from the School of Food Science and Environmental Health will lead ReLoop, a €164,852.13 project designing reusable packaging systems for Ireland’s business-to-business and trade sectors. The project focuses on food and beverage distribution, examining how reusable crates, pallets, and transport packaging can be integrated into existing logistics and return systems.
Using real-world data and lifecycle assessment, ReLoop will compare single-use and reusable models to identify where reuse delivers the greatest reductions in waste, carbon emissions, and resource use. The project directly aligns with EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation reuse targets for 2030 and 2040.
Dr Jaiswal explains: “ReLoop will provide Ireland with practical, scalable reuse models and a clear policy roadmap to accelerate the transition from single-use to circular packaging systems across B2B and trade sectors.”
INTEGRID-RISE: Integrated Grid Resilience for Infrastructure Sustainability & Emergencies
Dr Arash Beiranvand from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering will lead INTEGRID-RISE, a €272,427 project focused on the resilience of Ireland’s urban electricity distribution networks and their interaction with transport infrastructure under climate stress.
The research will develop a multilayered analytical framework to model how power grids and transport systems perform individually and together during extreme weather events such as flooding, heatwaves, and severe storms. It will examine failure points, recovery times, and cascading effects between systems.
Dr Beiranvand notes: “Climate hazards are placing increasing pressure on both our power networks and transport systems. This project will provide a rigorous, integrated way of assessing how these critical infrastructures perform under stress and how their interdependencies can amplify disruption.”
GRAMS: Greening of Regulated Analytical Chemistry Methods
Dr Patrice Behan from the School of Chemical and BioPharmaceutical Sciences will lead GRAMS, a €328,783.36 project seeking to embed green chemistry principles into regulatory analytical testing. Working in partnership with the State Laboratory, the team will review the environmental impacts of commonly used analytical chemistry methods and redesign ISO17025-accredited procedures to align with green chemistry principles.
The project will quantify the environmental footprint of regulatory testing through lifecycle assessment and seek independent accreditation for redesigned methods. Dr Behan states: “This project represents a pivotal step in demonstrating that high-quality regulatory analytical chemistry analysis and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.”
Impact and Future Directions
These projects exemplify TU Dublin’s commitment to addressing Ireland’s most pressing environmental challenges through innovative research. The funding will enable the development of practical solutions that can be implemented across industries and government agencies, supporting Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable and resilient future.
The research outcomes will provide evidence-based planning tools, strategic recommendations, and practical guidelines that can inform future investment, network reinforcement, and emergency preparedness. By building connections with policy-makers and practitioners, these projects will support more effective action on climate change and environmental protection.
For more information about these projects and other research initiatives at TU Dublin, visit the Research and Innovation section of the university website.
Explore Related Sustainability Initiatives
Interested in learning more about sustainability research and initiatives? Explore TU Dublin’s sustainability programs and discover how you can contribute to building a more resilient future. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or industry partner, there are numerous opportunities to engage with cutting-edge environmental research and innovation.
Stay informed about the latest developments in environmental research by following TU Dublin’s news updates and events calendar.
