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Case Studies

The case studies on these pages are mostly rooted at home, although we have also illustrated good practice from organisations outside of Northern Ireland.

We encourage you to read these introductory articles and get in touch with the listed contacts if you want more detailed information. Use them as inspiration, copy them, reinterpret them or just admire them. 


 

Erne Campus - A Passivhaus Premium Building

As Passivhaus continues to gain popularity both in the UK and Europe, some projects are being pushed even further than the original Passivhaus standard to meet net-zero targets. 

Smart choices for a sustainable district - Belfast Linen Quarter BID

A sustainable district is more than the sum of optimised buildings. The redesign of sustainable cities is the planning of sustainable districts.   

Farming Carbon - A framework for regenerative agriculture

Regenerative Agriculture describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.

A growing network of community fridges in Northern Ireland

Community fridges are a grassroots response to increased recognition of the environmental, social and economic impact of food waste and a growing food insecurity crisis. But what exactly are 'Love Fridges' and is the phenomenon taking off in Northern Ireland?

Green Roofs and Vertical Gardens – nature-based solutions to climate change in an urban context

The climate crisis is forcing us to change our cities for the best response to impending social, economic and environmental disruptions and traditional systems like white painted roofs and walls, along with new solutions are taking over worldwide. Nature-based Solutions in UK Climate Adaptation Policy (2021), a report prepared by the Nature-based Solutions Initiative at the University of Oxford for WWF-UK and RSPB, has highlighted the key role of natural solutions in helping the UK to adapt to the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, floods, droughts and heatwaves.

Bonham Quay, a beacon of sustainable development in the heart of Galway

Combining office, retail, restaurant and cultural space, Bonham Quay is designed to create a healthy, greener work environment for 2,600 people where it’s easy to make sustainable choices.

Compostable Packaging Project: Ards and North Down Borough Council

Plastic is one of the most common materials used in business today. The use of single-use plastic is increasingly problematic due to its impact on the environment, biodiversity and marine life. Thousands of pieces of plastic litter wash up on Northern Ireland’s coastline each year. About 70% of the 6,250 pieces of litter per km on our local beaches is plastic (2016/17).

Dingle: A case study for a sustainable future

The Dingle Peninsula is a well-known beauty spot, a magnet for holidaymakers in County Kerry. But there’s more: it is also home to an exciting project involving a number of key national agencies and local community representatives coming together to explore the transition to a low carbon future: Dingle 2030.

IGNITION: Nature-based solutions to the climate emergency in Greater Manchester

IGNITION is a ground-breaking project that aims to develop innovative financing solutions for investment in Greater Manchester’s natural environment. This investment will help to build the city region’s ability to adapt to the increasingly extreme impacts of climate change.

The Ormeau Parklet: a test model to expand public space

The Ormeau Parklet is a trial placemaking project to test how Belfast can creatively redesign public spaces. Belfast Buildings Trust, Queen’s University Belfast, OGU Architects, MMAS Architects, the Department for Infrastructure, Belfast City Council, and four local hospitality businesses, are partnering on the project.

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