Despite its financial woes, Ireland launched its first 'green' economic zone today in which Dublin Airport will play an integral part.
An tSlí Ghlas or the Green Way, a joint venture between business, local government and academic leaders, will see an estimated 5,000 jobs created through the development of green or clean technology clusters and developing trade partnerships with major international green corridors such as the US East Bay Green Corridor Partnership and Lahti Cleantech Science Park in Finland.
The Green Way will see Cleantech Wetlabs created around the airport and a 'green' International Financial Servics Centre built at Dublin Docklands; DIT Dublin Energy Lab will start re-skilling workers
The Green Start programme will encourage the mentoring of 'Cleantech entrepreneurs' to further develop the next generation industrial sector. A new Environmental Health Sciences Institute on DIT's Grangegorman Campus wil be created and the existing Ballymun Rediscovery Centre waste management initiative was said to be growing rapidly.
Launched by the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn at a reception hosted by Professor Brian MacCraith, President of Dublin City University, the partnership also includes the Dublin Institute of Technology, Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and North Dublin Chamber.
"We are very confident about the success of this exciting venture for many reasons. In particular our real point of difference is that the key constituents and assets are already in place, and we are ready to do business with a team of partners all sharing a common goal and vision," MacCraith said.
"DCU and DIT have a long and established tradition of engagement with industry and our links with business are well regarded both in Ireland and overseas. An tSlí Ghlas - The Green Way, drawing on our collective research expertise, will become a focused, internationally recognised hub for Cleantech businesses." MacCraith said
Tony Boyle, chairman of the Steering Committee for the Green Way said: "We wish to create an internationally recognised green economic zone and position Ireland as a leader in the world's most exciting and rapidly growing sector. The potential of this project, which builds on our existing assets and infrastructure, is that it can assist in the transformation of our economy."
Boyle added: "Many projects are already underway. Designated Wetlab space for Cleantech industries are at advanced planning stage, the DIT Dublin Energy Lab with Ballymun Regeneration Ltd is providing training and re-skilling of building trade workers for the clean tech industries. DAA are regenerating the airport central area as a hub for Cleantech FDI. DAA have also just launched T2 which will obviously assist in connecting An tSlí Ghlas -The Green Way to emerging Cleantech centres in Europe, China, India and the U.S.
Boyle continued "The Green Start pilot programme has started to provide mentoring and training for Cleantech entrepreneurs. Ballymun, which has been acclaimed as Green Community of the Year for 2010, has seen the establishment of the Rediscovery Centre initiative, which encompasses all elements of waste management and currently employs 20 people in sustainable design, research and enterprise development".
