Andrew Brownlee

Originally from Scotland, Andrew Brownlee is placing himself at the heart of Ireland’s green transition by helping drive and develop the key skills needed across the economy to deliver on our climate targets.    As chief executive of Solas, the Irish state agency responsible for further education and training, Andrew believes that developing the right skills in the Irish workforce is the key to the energy transition.   For his policy changes, he propose green skills for all, green skills for construction, and green skills for careers.   For his personal changes he discussed walking more and leaving the car at home, and upgrading his energy rating at home. 

Originally from Scotland, Andrew Brownlee is placing himself at the heart of Ireland’s green transition by helping drive and develop the key skills needed across the economy to deliver on our climate targets.  As chief executive of Solas, the Irish state agency responsible for further education and training, Andrew believes that developing the right skills in the Irish workforce is the key to the energy transition. For his policy changes, he propose green skills for all, green skills for construction, and green skills for careers. For his personal changes he discussed walking more and leaving the car at home, and upgrading his energy rating at home.

Andrew Brownlee, ceo of Solas

Simon Sharpe

Having trained as a physicist, Simon Sharpe decided to join the British civil service back in 2009 because he wanted the opportunity to solve “big problems”. Sharpe has since become something of a climate missionary within the British government, working on climate change at several different departments over the years, from energy to enterprise, and even representing the UK at the UN climate negotiations. Sharpe has now written a book called Five Times Faster, based on the simple premise that if global warming is to be kept below safe levels, then we will have to reduce emissions five times faster in the next decade than we have done in the previous decade. For his policy changes, he chose to develop risk assessment in the climate science space, to shift our economic modelling away from dated techniques to ones more consistent with a diverse and changing economy, and to move climate diplomacy towards getting agreement on action in individual sectors.    For his personal change he chose to increase biodiversity in his garden and to take a zero emissions approach to his barbeque.

Having trained as a physicist, Simon Sharpe decided to join the British civil service back in 2009 because he wanted the opportunity to solve “big problems”. Sharpe has since become something of a climate missionary within the British government, working on climate change at several different departments over the years, from energy to enterprise, and even representing the UK at the UN climate negotiations. Sharpe has now written a book called Five Times Faster, based on the simple premise that if global warming is to be kept below safe levels, then we will have to reduce emissions five times faster in the next decade than we have done in the previous decade. For his policy changes, he chose to develop risk assessment in the climate science space, to shift our economic modelling away from dated techniques to ones more consistent with a diverse and changing economy, and to move climate diplomacy towards getting agreement on action in individual sectors.  For his personal change he chose to increase biodiversity in his garden and to take a zero emissions approach to his barbeque.

Simon Sharpe, Director of Economics at UN Climate Champions

Sadhbh O'Neill is a climate activist with extensive experience fighting for climate action in Ireland, who is currently working with Stop Climate Chaos. Whether in the media, by running for election, through her research, or through the courts, O'Neill knows there are various avenues through which a better relationship with the environment can be demanded and achieved.    For her policy changes, she chose to implement energy rating passports for buildings, make school transport free, and to ensure the planning system is fit to deliver our climate needs.    For her personal changes, she chose to nourish the activist and to cut down on single use packaging. 

Sadhbh O'Neill is a climate activist with extensive experience fighting for climate action in Ireland, who is currently working with Stop Climate Chaos. Whether in the media, by running for election, through her research, or through the courts, O'Neill knows there are various avenues through which a better relationship with the environment can be demanded and achieved.  For her policy changes, she chose to implement energy rating passports for buildings, make school transport free, and to ensure the planning system is fit to deliver our climate needs.  For her personal changes, she chose to nourish the activist and to cut down on single use packaging.

Sadhbh O'Neill, Stop Climate Chaos

Muireann Lynch

Muireann Lynch is an energy researcher with the Economic and Social Research Institute who has an incredibly detailed understanding of the irish energy system. During her interview she displayed both a professional and a personal interest in the challenges of decarbonisation.    For her policy changes, she propsed testing all behavioural change policies, thinking about systems instead of technologies, and reviewing the planning system.   For her personal changes she discussed breastfeeding for longer and buying a cargo bike.

Muireann Lynch is an energy researcher with the Economic and Social Research Institute who has an incredibly detailed understanding of the irish energy system. During her interview she displayed both a professional and a personal interest in the challenges of decarbonisation.  For her policy changes, she propsed testing all behavioural change policies, thinking about systems instead of technologies, and reviewing the planning system. For her personal changes she discussed breastfeeding for longer and buying a cargo bike.

Muireann Lynch, Energy Researcher at the ESRI

Neasa Hourigan has developed a reputation as a hard-working, principled, and increasingly disruptive politician.  The Green Party TD for Dublin Central is currently serving a 15-month suspension from the parliamentary party after voting against her government colleagues on the ending of the eviction ban – the latest in a series of vote rebellions by Hourigan. But she is determined to keep pursuing her political objectives, especially in relation to climate change and the environment.     For her policy changes, Hourigan chose to ensure proper climate accounting for the private and public sector, to take a longer term view on state planning and development, and to limit the sizes of large multinational companies.     For her personal changes. she proposed joining a union and looking after her mental health while working on climate issues.

Neasa Hourigan has developed a reputation as a hard-working, principled, and increasingly disruptive politician. The Green Party TD for Dublin Central is currently serving a 15-month suspension from the parliamentary party after voting against her government colleagues on the ending of the eviction ban – the latest in a series of vote rebellions by Hourigan. But she is determined to keep pursuing her political objectives, especially in relation to climate change and the environment.   For her policy changes, Hourigan chose to ensure proper climate accounting for the private and public sector, to take a longer term view on state planning and development, and to limit the sizes of large multinational companies.   For her personal changes. she proposed joining a union and looking after her mental health while working on climate issues.

Neasa Hourigan, Green Party TD

Mark Mellett

Mark Mellett is former chief of staff of the Irish Defence forces. Mellett has a unique perspective on climate and environment, having worked as with the Irish Naval Services and the Irish Defence Forces for many years. His experience has led him to believe that climate change poses one of the biggest security risks facing the world today, from migration, to conflict, to protecting new energy infrastructure. For his policy changes, Mellett proposed for Ireland to bolster European Union security and autonomy by becoming a clean energy hub, address climate security and migration at an international level, and promote loss and damage funding for poorer countries. For his personal change Mark discussed buying an electric car, and how he had set up a new company to help contribute to global climate action

Mark Mellett is former chief of staff of the Irish Defence forces. Mellett has a unique perspective on climate and environment, having worked as with the Irish Naval Services and the Irish Defence Forces for many years. His experience has led him to believe that climate change poses one of the biggest security risks facing the world today, from migration, to conflict, to protecting new energy infrastructure. For his policy changes, Mellett proposed for Ireland to bolster European Union security and autonomy by becoming a clean energy hub, address climate security and migration at an international level, and promote loss and damage funding for poorer countries. For his personal change Mark discussed buying an electric car, and how he had set up a new company to help contribute to global climate action

Mark Mellett, Former Head of the Irish Defence Forces

Erinch Sahan is Business and Enterprise lead with the Doughnut Economics Action Lab. Doughnut economics is a new economic theory that pitches the idea of two visualised rings that represent planetary boundaries and social foundations. The theory advocates for an economic model that takes account of both, ensuring that we produce a strong enough economy to meet the social needs of society, without exceeding the ecological ceiling of our planet and its resources.  For his policy changes, Sahan chose to transform the ownership and governance of businesses so they are regenerative and distributive by design, to redesign the financial system so it is in service of wellbeing for all and our living planet, and to design policies that fosters businesses that create a new green economy. For his personal changes, he discussed speaking to family and friends about the new green economy, and reducing flying and meat in his diet.

Erinch Sahan is Business and Enterprise lead with the Doughnut Economics Action Lab. Doughnut economics is a new economic theory that pitches the idea of two visualised rings that represent planetary boundaries and social foundations. The theory advocates for an economic model that takes account of both, ensuring that we produce a strong enough economy to meet the social needs of society, without exceeding the ecological ceiling of our planet and its resources.  For his policy changes, Sahan chose to transform the ownership and governance of businesses so they are regenerative and distributive by design, to redesign the financial system so it is in service of wellbeing for all and our living planet, and to design policies that fosters businesses that create a new green economy. For his personal changes, he discussed speaking to family and friends about the new green economy, and reducing flying and meat in his diet.

Erinch Sahan, Doughnut Economic Action Lab

Michelle Murphy

Michelle Murphy is a research and policy analyst with Social Justice Ireland, the social justice think tank. Social Justice Ireland puts equality and poverty prevention at the heart of its research and advocacy, and it considers environmental issues to be first and foremost social justice issues. For her policy changes, Murphy proposed a carbon tax on food, investment in cycling infrastructure, and setting up regional Just Transition dialogues. For her personal changes, Murphy spoke about reducing food waste and trying to reduce transport emissions after moving to rural Ireland.

Michelle Murphy, Social Justice Ireland

Laura Burke

Laura Burke is the director general of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ireland's environmental state agency and regulator. For her policy changes, Burke chose to form a national policy position on the environment, to prioritise action over aspiration on environmental issues, and to address the polarisation of the environmental debate. For her personal changes she discussed reducing her family's transport emissions and walking more in her local area. 

Laura Burke is the director general of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ireland's environmental state agency and regulator. For her policy changes, Burke chose to form a national policy position on the environment, to prioritise action over aspiration on environmental issues, and to address the polarisation of the environmental debate. For her personal changes she discussed reducing her family's transport emissions and walking more in her local area.

Laura Burke, Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency

Andrew Murphy

Andrew Murphy is head of buildings and industry with the Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS), an NGO researching and advocating for high sustainability standards in products and regulations across the EU. For his policy changes, Andrew chose to include aviation and shipping emissions in national climate targets, to ensure pre-demolition audits are carried out, and to ban emissions' offsetting. For his personal changes he chose to move from glass wine bottles to using canned or boxed wine, and to turn down the heat in his apartment building. 

Andrew Murphy is head of buildings and industry with the Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS), an NGO researching and advocating for high sustainability standards in products and regulations across the EU. For his policy changes, Andrew chose to include aviation and shipping emissions in national climate targets, to ensure pre-demolition audits are carried out, and to ban emissions' offsetting. For his personal changes he chose to move from glass wine bottles to using canned or boxed wine, and to turn down the heat in his apartment building.

Andrew Murphy, Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS)

Five Degrees of Change is the new energy and environment podcast series from the Business Post. Host Daniel Murray will explore how we can all make the necessary changes to reduce our impact on the environment at this critical time. He’ll be asking some of the most influential experts in politics, business and academia to propose three big environmental policy changes they would make if they had the opportunity, and to let us in on two small personal changes they have made to contribute to a cleaner, greener environment.

Podcast Enthusiast

Five Degrees of Change

Pat Cox

In Five Degrees of Change some of the most influential voices on Energy and Environment will propose three big policy changes, and also outline two small personal changes they have made to contribute to a greener world. In episode seven, host Daniel Murray is joined by former TD and former president of the European Parliament Pat Cox.       Cox has extensive experience working at the highest political level and, in recent years, has been involved in several impactful climate projects, from a trans-European transport corridor, to overseeing multinational tyre company Michelin‘s sustainability programme.

Former TD and former president of the European Parliament Pat Cox

John Gibbons

Daniel Murray

John Gibbons is an environmental activist, journalist and business owner. John started his career working as a journalist across various beats. In the early 90’s he founded a healthcare communications company called MedMedia Group which today is one of the most successful healthcare publishers in Ireland. Despite John’s reputation as a dyed-in-the-wool eco activist it wasn’t until the birth of his daughter in the early 2000’s that John decided to take an interest in the environment and what kind of future lay in store for his daughter. Initially he started a blog called ‘Think or Swim’ as a means of solidifying his own thoughts on the climate and biodiversity crises. But in 2008 after building up a critical mass of knowledge John began contributing a weekly column on environmental issues to the Irish Times, reaching a national audience. Today, John splits his time between his healthcare communications business and his environmental activism and is one of the most recognisable voices in the country on climate change. He is a regular contributor to Irish broadcast media and he describes his own activism as freaking out and speaking out.

John Gibbons is an environmental activist, journalist and business owner. John started his career working as a journalist across various beats. In the early 90’s he founded a healthcare communications company called MedMedia Group which today is one of the most successful healthcare publishers in Ireland. Despite John’s reputation as a dyed-in-the-wool eco activist it wasn’t until the birth of his daughter in the early 2000’s that John decided to take an interest in the environment and what kind of future lay in store for his daughter. Initially he started a blog called ‘Think or Swim’ as a means of solidifying his own thoughts on the climate and biodiversity crises. But in 2008 after building up a critical mass of knowledge John began contributing a weekly column on environmental issues to the Irish Times, reaching a national audience. Today, John splits his time between his healthcare communications business and his environmental activism and is one of the most recognisable voices in the country on climate change. He is a regular contributor to Irish broadcast media and he describes his own activism as freaking out and speaking out.

Environmental activist, journalist and business owner John Gibbons joins Daniel Murray for Five Degrees of Change, the energy and environment podcast from the Business Post

Sue Garrard

Sue Garrard is a sustainable business consultant and former executive at global consumer goods group Unilever. Sue has a unique perspective having worked at the highest level in both the public and the private sector. Before working for Unilever, Sue worked in the British government in the department of work and pensions, where, as the global recession kicked in, she was tasked with addressing the growing unemployment crisis. Nowadays, Sue tours the world campaigning for greater corporate transparency around their environmental impacts. 

Sue Garrard is a sustainable business consultant and former executive at global consumer goods group Unilever. Sue has a unique perspective having worked at the highest level in both the public and the private sector. Before working for Unilever, Sue worked in the British government in the department of work and pensions, where, as the global recession kicked in, she was tasked with addressing the growing unemployment crisis. Nowadays, Sue tours the world campaigning for greater corporate transparency around their environmental impacts.

Business sustainability advisor Sue Garrard joins Daniel Murray for Five Degrees of Change, the energy and environment podcast from the Business Post

John Sweeney

In Five Degrees of Change some of the most influential voices on Energy and Environment will propose three big policy changes, and also outline two small personal changes they have made to contribute to a greener world. In episode three, host Daniel Murray is joined by lecturer and climate expert John Sweeney. Professor Sweeney has lectured at Maynooth University since the 1970‘s and is an expert on climate science and weather patterns. In his 30 year career he has produced over 100 scientific papers on climate change and has become one of Ireland’s most prominent voices on the subject.

In Five Degrees of Change some of the most influential voices on Energy and Environment will propose three big policy changes, and also outline two small personal changes they have made to contribute to a greener world. In episode three, host Daniel Murray is joined by lecturer and climate expert John Sweeney. Professor Sweeney has lectured at Maynooth University since the 1970‘s and is an expert on climate science and weather patterns. In his 30 year career he has produced over 100 scientific papers on climate change and has become one of Ireland’s most prominent voices on the subject.

Lecturer and climate expert Professor John Sweeney joins Daniel Murray for Five Degrees of Change, the energy and environment podcast from the Business Post

Cara Augustenborg

In Five Degrees of Change some of the most influential voices on Energy and Environment will propose three big policy changes, and also outline two small personal changes they have made to contribute to a greener world. In episode two, host Daniel Murray is joined by climate scientist Cara Augustenborg.  Cara is one of the most recognisable and critical voices on Ireland's environmental and climate performance and was appointed to the Council of State by President Michael D. Higgins earlier this year.

In Five Degrees of Change some of the most influential voices on Energy and Environment will propose three big policy changes, and also outline two small personal changes they have made to contribute to a greener world. In episode two, host Daniel Murray is joined by climate scientist Cara Augustenborg. Cara is one of the most recognisable and critical voices on Ireland's environmental and climate performance and was appointed to the Council of State by President Michael D. Higgins earlier this year.

Environmental scientist Cara Augustenborg joins Daniel Murray for Five Degrees of Change, the energy and environment podcast from the Business Post

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