International study shows combination of manufactured wood products and bioenergy with carbon capture can play a critical role in climate neutrality A major new international research study has demonstrated an effective way to use wood to achieve long-term global cooling.  Led by researchers at the University of Galway, the study examined the combination of using low-value wood for manufacturing before it is converted into fuel for clean energy generation with carbon capture and storage once those products reach the end of their life.  The researchers revealed that this strategy of combining forestry with “cascading” use of wood products can play a critical role in achieving climate neutrality targets and provides more resilient and long-term climate benefits than either directly burning harvested wood for energy or leaving forests unharvested.  The research has been published here in Nature’s Communications Earth & Environment.  Dr George Bishop, lead scientist on the study, based at University of Galway, said: "National climate neutrality targets cannot be met without large-scale carbon dioxide removal. Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) provides one of the few scalable ways to deliver permanent carbon removal while also producing renewable energy. Our research shows that cascading wood use into Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage is a robust climate change mitigation option that consistently delivers long-term temperature reduction.”  The research is particularly significant for countries in the EU, including Ireland, which have legally-binding commitments to reach climate neutrality by 2050 – meaning that any greenhouse gases released must either be eliminated or balanced by an equal amount removed from the atmosphere.  One of the biggest challenges comes from sectors where deep emissions cuts are technically difficult and costly, such as agriculture - Ireland’s largest source of emissions - as well as aviation and heavy industry.  Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) has been identified as a potential solution to this challenge. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass. When forests are harvested, some wood becomes low-value leftovers that are often burned for bioenergy, releasing the carbon back into the air. With BECCS, this CO₂ can be captured and permanently stored deep underground – effectively removing the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere forever.  However, large-scale deployment of BECCS infrastructure is expected to take decades.  The research team outline an opportunity: rather than burning low-value wood immediately, these materials can first be used to manufacture products such as particleboard. This offers dual wins: it generates immediate climate benefits by replacing carbon-intensive materials like plastics, and “buys time” for BECCS deployment.  At the end of their service life, these wood products can still be used for bioenergy – but this time in a BECCS facility which has had time to be deployed. At the same time, sustainably managed forests regrow to replace harvested trees, continuing to draw carbon dioxide from the air, acting as a carbon vacuum.  The study demonstrates that this combined cycle creates a durable carbon removal pathway with a significant long-term cooling effect, supporting climate-neutrality goals in Ireland and globally.  Professor David Styles, co-author and Professor in Agri-sustainability, University of Galway, said: "The implication for policy is clear: to meet ambitious climate targets, governments must prioritise the development of permanent carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies and incentivise circular use of wood to prolong its lifespan as a carbon store. By integrating sustainable forest management with circular and cascading wood strategies and BECCS, the global community can ensure a more durable and resilient path towards climate stabilisation.”  Dr James Gaffey, co-author and Project Lead at Munster Technological University, said: "The results of this study highlight the need for greater investment in carbon capture and storage infrastructure in parallel with cascading circular bioeconomy and renewable energy developments. The results are relevant for Ireland and for other EU member states and the approach will help them to meet their climate obligations and avoid future risks of penalties.”  The research also highlighted an interesting analysis of the comparison between active forest management and leaving forests unharvested. While unharvested forests provide strong near-term cooling, their carbon sink strength diminishes as trees mature, and carbon stored in living forests is increasingly vulnerable to climate-driven disturbances such as wildfires, pests, and disease.  Dr Bishop added: “If we transfer carbon from forests to geological stores via a cascade of multiple wood uses we enhance the longevity and resilience of carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere. Our sophisticated modelling shows that cascading wood use into Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage eventually surpasses the climate benefits of unharvested forests.”  The research was supported by Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the INFORMBIO project, and was a collaborative study involving experts from the University of Galway, MTU, and IEA Bioenergy BECCUS Inter-task members from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden; KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden; University of New England, Australia; Bangor University, Wales; DBFZ, Germany; VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland; and other leading institutions.  Ends    

Nationwide survey shows invasive spider thriving in urban centres The invasive Noble false widow spider (Steatoda nobilis) is now one of the most common urban spiders in Ireland, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Galway. Researchers surveyed urban spider populations across the Republic of Ireland to identify the most common species and the environmental factors influencing their diversity and abundance. The study found that the Noble false widow and the long-established missing sector orb weaver (Zygiella x-notata) accounted for more than 80% of urban spider populations. Remarkably, the Noble false widow is now well established even in counties such as Mayo and Sligo, where it was previously unrecorded. The findings, been published in Ecology and Evolution, highlight Ireland’s understudied urban habitats, as well as the potential negative impact of the Noble false widow on native spider species             Brandon Collier, doctoral researcher at University of Galway and first author of the study, said: “This research provides a framework for studying a largely overlooked habitat for invasive and medically important species. As human populations increase year after year, urban areas grow with them. Understanding the impact this has on native species in Ireland provides essential knowledge for preventing and managing invasions in more fragile environments like Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.” Rapid global trade has allowed more spider species to spread beyond their native ranges to become cosmopolitan and, occasionally, invasive. False widows and their relatives, the black widows, have led this trend, with implications for human and environmental health. While the strong venom potency and medical importance of certain widow spiders is well documented, their ecological impact has been harder to determine. To better understand urban spider populations, researchers developed a visual survey framework that could be applied internationally to monitor invasive species. The scientists are calling for the Noble false widow spider to be officially recognised as an invasive species under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s guidelines because of its rapid spread and potential impact on native spiders. The research was carried out by established and postgraduate scientists from the University of Galway, with funding through the University’s Hardiman Scholarship held by Brandon Collier.             Mr Collier added: “Now more than ever, we need to evaluate the threat of potentially invasive spider species and formulate a global action plan to prevent negative impacts on sensitive native species. Collaborating with international research groups has allowed us to begin the dialogue, but implementing policy changes in affected regions is essential to preventing future wide-spread invasions.”                 Dr Michel Dugon, Head of the Venom Systems Lab at University of Galway and senior author of the study, said: “The populations of Noble false widows have exploded throughout Western Europe in the past two decades, and the species has been recently observed in New Zealand, South America, the US, and North Africa. Our next step is to understand the physiological adaptations of the species to better predict other areas at risk of invasion.”             Dayle Leonard, doctoral researcher at University of Galway and co-author of the study, said: “This research highlights a threat to biodiversity that is largely ignored. We were able to show how though Irish weather varies greatly, spider diversity is more affected by the seasons, food, and, potentially, the presence of the invasive Noble false widow spider. There are global implications with the spread of the Noble false widow across continents, so providing insight into its dominance and its impact in urban environments is vital.” The full study in Ecology and Evolution is available at https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73193. Ends

The University of Galway Tax Clinic, Claddagh Credit Union and St Columba’s Credit Union have announced a new partnership that will provide credit union members with free, confidential tax support.  Launched at the University’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, the initiative combines the University of Galway’s tax expertise with the community networks of Claddagh and St Columba’s Credit Unions.   The partnership is designed to provide credit union members with accessible, confidential tax guidance, supporting improved tax literacy and financial confidence within local communities.  Colm Cleary, Chair of St Columba’s Credit Union, said: “This partnership means we can connect our members with expert, confidential tax support. It’s about building confidence and helping people understand their rights and responsibilities, which is what community finance is all about.”  Louise Shields, CEO of Claddagh Credit Union, said: “Our members trust us to support their financial wellbeing, and being able to offer free tax support through the Tax Clinic strengthens that relationship and shows what we can achieve when community organisations work together.”  The University of Galway Tax Clinic was established in 2020 and is Ireland's first free tax clinic. Originally founded to support University students, it has since expanded through community partnerships to assist vulnerable members of society. The clinic works with a number of community partners, including an ongoing collaboration with Galway Public Libraries, and serves clients referred through COPE Galway and Longford Women's Link.   The clinic also serves as a training ground for the next generation of student tax advisors, who gain hands-on experience under the guidance of professional tax advisors.    Professor Emer Mulligan, Director of the Tax Clinic, said: “This collaboration strengthens our collective ability to serve the community – we can now bring expert tax support directly to the people who engage with and trust their credit unions.”  Ends