The document discusses the opportunities and policy implications of the environmental goods and services sector in Ireland, highlighting a potential market growth from €2.8 billion and the importance of SMEs in this sector. It addresses the need for enhancing R&D, entrepreneurship, and education to meet green economy challenges while emphasizing the role of renewable energy sources and ICT in achieving sustainability goals. Additionally, it compares international green economic investments, particularly from the USA, Europe, and China, underscoring Ireland's potential in leveraging its natural resources and technological capabilities.

1. Green Business Opportunities in Ireland Joe Harford, Chair, High Level Action Group on Green Enterprise

2. Presentation Content Report by InterTradeIreland & Forfas, October 2008. Environmental Goods and Services Sector on the Island of Ireland – Enterprise Opportunities and Policy Implications Establishment of HLAG on Green Enterprise – TOR Other countries– their approach to future policy Where are the opportunities & potential for the green economy in Ireland?

3. Environmental Goods & Services Market Global $600 billion in 2005 Expected to grow to $700 billion by 2010 And $800 billion by 2015 OECD countries will account for 90% of growth US, Japan and Western Europe to the fore with the export/import of EGS Expect strong growth from China & India as they tackle their own environmental issues One of the best performers despite downturn

4. EGS in Ireland – Market structure All island market estimated at €2.8 billion (excluding EGS in building and construction) Supports 11,000 jobs on Island (6,500 in Republic) Market dominated by SMEs, many have become major players Limited number of MNC groups but strong possibilities of growth Several offshoots of UK & EU companies Good uptake of EGS technologies but low R&D Investment

5. Value of EGS in Ireland

6. Establishment of HLAG on Green Enterprise Building upon InterTradeIreland and Forfas Report Our Sponsors are An Tánaiste, DETE and Minister for DCENR 4 month timetable to report back with SMART recommendation Terms of Reference for HLAG agreed by Cabinet in February 2009 Develop Green Enterprise via encouragement of entrepreneurship, support for indigenous enterprise and FDI - jobs Further develop education, training structures and systems, at all levels, to best address knowledge and skill deficits Advance the potential for R&D in green tech to enhance our capacity in this area Ensure that indigenous industries can meet the challenges of the opportunities to supply goods and services to meet green procurement needs locally and EU

7. “ Our ambitions for economic renewal are based on a smart, high-productivity low carbon economy” Brian Cowen at the launch of the Green Enterprise Report

8. USA – Future Policy Approach USA – the views of President Obama, Earth Day 2009 “ We make up 5% of the world’s population and produce a quarter of the world’s demand for oil” “ ...the choice we face is not between saving our environment or saving our climate. The choice is between prosperity and decline” “ The nation that leads the world in creating new energy sources will be the nation that leads the 21 st century global economy” By 2050 wants to cut carbon pollution by 80%

9. USA – Future Policy Approach Create millions of new jobs $15 billion budget to be invested each year for 10 years to develop clean energy In 2000, energy technology represented 1% of all VC investments. Now it is 10% The need for a Smarter Grid will require $11 billion in investments Major investments in electrical vehicles, biofuels, mass transit high speed rail Need to be more energy independent – spent $700 billion in ‘07 USA to invest $112 billion as part of its Green Economic Stimulus Package

10. Examples of Green Stimulus Spending France $7 billion has been allocated Germany $14 billion South Korea $31 billion – this is a considerable portion of their recovery funding China Has earmarked $221 billion. This represents a sizable portion of their economic recovery fund

11. Cost of Electricity

12. Potential for Green Economy in Ireland Excellent Natural Resources (Wind and Ocean) Expanding levels of R&D – energy as part of SFI Strength in related cross-over sectors (Construction/ICT/Sensors/Nanotechnology) Fundamental need to reduce business costs (Energy, Waste and Water) EU and International drivers (ETS, Kyoto, 20,20,20 targets, EU target of 50% Green Procurement by 2010 on public tenders International reputation as a Green Island

13. Green Technology Research & Development Supply Chain Manufacturing Technical/ Customer Support Project Mang. Prime Clean Tech Segments Business Activities Wind Wave Solar Biomass Head Quarters R&D Pilot & Test

14. Where are the opportunities Renewable Energy. New generation to meet the government target of 40% renewable electricity by 2020. Carbon Trading. One the most traded commodities worldwide. In 2008 the global market was valued at €100 billion. If a Federal US cap and trade scheme is introduced that could be €2 trillion by 2030. Energy efficiency . New build and retrofit (eco-construction). New products (advanced materials/appliances). New services (energy management) Waste treatment facilities. To allow for the transition from landfill that has to occur.

16. Convergent Technologies – ICT & Environmental Measurement, management and control of resource efficiency requires a combination of sensors and ICT The Climate Group, working with leading ICT companies has estimated that this approach could lead to €600 billion in global energy cost savings Could provide significant cost savings Could add significant new revenue streams Would be at the core of Smart Grids Create many new jobs in ICT ICT also required for water monitoring and waste management Ireland is well positioned to benefit from these developments. We have people and skills to be leaders in these areas

17. Convergent Technologies SmartBay, Marine Institute, Galway Deployment of a network of buoys, seafloor cabling Many sensors, information systems, telemetry etc Provides real time in-situ ocean monitoring IBM Global Centre for Advanced Water Management € 7 million investment in Mulhuddart IBM primary focus on innovative research & services in monitoring, quality control of waters Develop solutions to address energy and environmental issues Involved in SmartBay Project 13

18. Renewables Ireland has some of the best wind and ocean resources in Europe Implications of Wind penetration Interconnection for system stability and exports Large scale wind turbine investment require skilled maintenance personnel – training opportunities Ocean energy is high risk, longer term R&D but could create many jobs Wavebob, Ocean Energy, AquaMarine Power etc Renewables require a modern Grid and advanced ICT

22. Water Appropriate regulation to resolve environmental problems, can be beneficial to rectify environmental black spots and support green enterprise € 100 million currently being spent on Water/Wastewater (NDP) Better control of domestic septic tanks (418,000) and proprietary treatment units reduce groundwater contamination Training & certification of WWTP operators Resolve mains water leakage and wastage Domestic water meters, use of rainwater & greywater A Single Water Authority

23. Advanced Bio-Systems & Food We need to develop and commercialise anaerobic digestion/composting to dispose of farm/food waste and generate electricity and jobs – Waste is a valuable resourse! InterTradeIreland: If every household & business in Ireland was provided with a brown bin, 1.45 million tonnes of waste could be diverted from landfill/year. Could create 1,500 direct and 10,000 jobs indirectly Novel development of biofuels, (miscanthus, willow and algae) Agri-food sector still underdeveloped Disappointing uptake of organic foods UK market valued at €2 billion and baby food sales now 50% organic. Opportunity for Irish Agriculture

26. And Finally Richard Riley, Former US Secretary of Education “ The top ten jobs that will exist in the year 2010 do not exist today. We are preparing our students for jobs that don’t exist, using technologies that haven’t yet been invented, to solve problems that we haven’t even considered y et.” 2004

27. Thank You