Latest news with #HelenHughes
Scoop
05-08-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Taking New Zealand Biodiversity To The World
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and Ekos are making history by launching New Zealand biodiversity and conservation into the global marketplace. This is the first time a New Zealand conservation project is trading biodiversity credits on an international trading platform. This provides direct access to global audiences, connecting the world to the incredible biodiversity outcomes for which New Zealand is renowned. Ekos CEO Sean Weaver says this is a milestone moment, not only for Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, but also for the future of conservation funding in New Zealand. "The need for conservation funding in New Zealand far outweighs the current resources available through traditional grants and philanthropic support. Biodiversity credits from the Ekos BioCredita programme offer a new pathway to integrate biodiversity conservation into the heart of the economy here and around the world,' he says. 'These biodiversity credits don't commodify nature. Instead, they represent the human resource and technology cost to look after it. Buyers are purchasing measured, reported and verified biodiversity conservation outputs in a performance-based system." Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari CEO Helen Hughes says being the first in New Zealand to connect international market platforms with the world-class biodiversity outcomes achieved by her team is in keeping with the innovative mindset that the sanctuary was founded on. 'The Sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the world, built just over 20 years ago with ambitious goals and innovative thinking. Today, our 1,000-year plan and our scale provide the opportunity to test new ways of doing things, including finding new revenue streams to enable the sanctuary to continue to deliver exceptional biodiversity outcomes,' she says. Weaver says that linking biodiversity credits to international companies is a positive step for New Zealand. 'Being able to trade on the international trading platform, ClimateTrade, opens the door to foreign exchange to help fund biodiversity conservation in a global biodiversity hotspot. This opportunity is made possible by our rigorous standard, third-party verification protocols, and blockchain registry system for biodiversity credit issuance and tracking.' 'This allows us to tap into a well-established global market where conservation-linked ESG targets and reporting are becoming standard practice. While biodiversity credits are still a relatively new concept here, the BioCredita programme enables New Zealand to align with international frameworks and attract investment from companies already familiar with these mechanisms', he says. Hughes adds that the goal is to connect with domestic and international markets that align with Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari's ethos and value environmental sustainability, social responsibility, productive partnerships and meaningful community engagement. Outcomes she says the sanctuary delivers on every day through its operations. 'By connecting to impact investors and values-based buyers—both here and abroad—we're not just funding conservation, we're shaping a future where nature and communities thrive together. This is not just a transaction; it's a shared commitment to delivering biodiversity outcomes at a global scale,' she says.
RTÉ News
10-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
SETU partners in €1.34m European BECEE project to boost entrepreneurial ecosystems
The South East Technological University (SETU) has been awarded funding as part of a prestigious European consortium delivering the BECEE project – Balanced and Enhanced Collaboration for an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. The initiative is aimed at fostering entrepreneurial talent and strengthening innovation capacity across Europe. The €1.34 million project is being led by Rachel O'Dowd, Prof. Helen Hughes, and Dr Ultan Mc Carthy from SETU's Department of Land Sciences, with Dr James O'Sullivan, Head of Innovation and Commercialisation at SETU. It is also delivered in close collaboration with Professor Bill O'Gorman of Dungarvan Enterprise Centre. BECEE is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), with cross-funding and endorsement from EIT Digital, EIT Climate, EIT Food, and EIT Health. The project brings together four higher education institutions; South East Technological University (Ireland),Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland), and Universiteti "Aleksandër Moisiu" Durrës (Albania). These universities will be working in tandem with four innovation-driven enterprises: Dungarvan Enterprise Centre (Ireland), KPN (Eindhoven, Netherlands), Innofuse (Zurich, Switzerland), and Linda Laboratory (Durrës, Albania). Speaking about SETU's role, Professor Helen Hughes said: "We are hugely excited by the opportunity to be part of this excellent European consortium furthering innovative solutions, strengthening and supporting our entrepreneurial talent in the region in conjunction with our industrial partner Dungarvan Enterprise Centre. It further strengthens the focus and expertise available within the Department of Land Sciences for entrepreneurship that has been developing across the last decade." The BECEE project will have a tangible impact on regional and national entrepreneurship by developing practical, scalable models to support innovators, start-ups and SMEs. Activities will include training, mentorship, policy development, and new pathways for academic-industry engagement—all contributing to SETU's strategic ambition of connecting for impact. Dr James O'Sullivan noted, "This initiative reflects SETU's deepening commitment to delivering innovation and knowledge exchange across our region, working hand in hand with our enterprise partners to create a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem." The project is already underway and will roll out activities over the next two years across the partner regions. It aligns strongly with SETU's focus on collaboration, regional development, and addressing key societal challenges through innovation.
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
How are Newcastle acting sustainably?
Whether a top Premier League club or a supporter of one, even small sustainable actions "can have a lasting impact".The effects of climate change are being felt in many different ways and football is not immune to research, external has suggested a quarter of professional football pitches will be at risk of flooding by so much of fans' focus is what is happening on the pitch, there is an increasing expectation from supporters that clubs should be doing more to reduce their impact off Day on 22 April provides a chance to reflect on the positive actions that are being taken by clubs to reduce their impact on the environment and help their local United have been increasingly working towards becoming more sustainable, reducing their impact and working more with recent initiatives have included:The Magpie Mover scheme provides season ticket holders with unlimited travel on the metro, bus and ferry during home matchdays, at a cost of £25 per season;A waste recycling operation at St James' Park for the women's Tyne-Wear derby and the Premier League match against Manchester United, with a team of green ambassadors working around the Gallowgate End to promote recycling and educate fans about positive sustainable actions;Newcastle United and the Newcastle United Foundation recently launching a football boot donation drive to support local children while enhancing sustainability practice within the community. The initiative is designed to encourage fans to donate unwanted or pre-loved football boots, which will be rehomed by the Ashington Boot Room to ensure they are given a second life with young aspiring footballers in the North the boot donation scheme, Newcastle United sustainability manager Helen Hughes said: "Adopting even the smallest of sustainable actions can have a lasting impact on the community."Through the boot drive, we aim to reduce waste by expanding the lifecycle of materials, while also providing local young players with equipment that will support their enjoyment of the game."We're pleased to offer this opportunity for the Newcastle United family to support both the environment and the next generation of footballers."
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New northern campsite for Isle of Man TT visitors approved
Plans to use agricultural land in the north of the Isle of Man for a campsite during the TT and Manx Grand Prix have been approved. Submitted by Silly Moos Campsite Ltd, the facilities would be located on a 9.51-acre (3.85-hectare) site on West Kimmeragh Road in Bride currently used for cattle. The site would include 12 motorhome and 60 tent pitches, a reception building, toilet and shower facilities and a marquee during operating opened in 2012, Silly Moos Campsite closed its offering at Ballakillingan Farm in 2023 in favour of finding a new location. Recommending the proposals for approval, the planning officer's report said the development integrated camping-related infrastructure in a way that "respects the character of the site and its surroundings". "The proposal would not have significant adverse effects on public or private amenities, site ecology, highway safety, or landscape character," it campsite would create four part-time jobs during its operating periods and was predicted to bring in £711,000 to the local economy in general visitor spending and revenues, the report applicants said access tracks would be the only permanent feature of the plans. Backing the proposals, planning committee member Helen Hughes said there was a "national need" for the Mathew Warren said while it was a "good application", he had concerns over noise as the site was "so close to the neighbouring property".The planning officer told the committee most of the noise would come from the marquee, which was about 442ft (135m) away from the property. Committee member Adele Bettridge said people needed to "make allowances" for noise throughout TT, but added she was "a bit disappointed" the campsite would not be used for a longer proposals were unanimously backed by the committee. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
