ERINN Innovation have been delighted to support the Climate Cocktail Club in 2024. This initiative focused on curating, connecting and catalysing changemakers to take action on the climate and nature crises.
The events offer a great opportunity to connect with like-minded people and discuss the threats and opportunities facing us, while also creating a fun and social atmosphere with specially curated cocktails and insightful presentations.
For us, this has been a great opportunity to support an important initiative that aligns with our values as a company. We’re grateful to have such an enthusiastic team and we filled two tables at each event. The sold out Climate Cocktail Clubs were also excellent opportunities to promote some of the impactful work we do and the projects we are working on, especially as they aligned with the event themes.
ERINN Innovation Executive Director Michael Papapetrou stressed the importance of getting involved with initiatives like the Climate Cocktail Club: “With its unique setting, the Climate Cocktail Club offers attendees the opportunity to network with those passionate about critical issues facing society, from food waste to restoration. At ERINN Innovation, we are impact-driven and events like this are so important to get involved with. It’s great to see synergies between the goals of the Climate Cocktail Club and our projects.”
The WASTED RELAUNCH
October saw the relaunch of the Climate Cocktail Club at The Sugar Club in Dublin. This event focused on the urgent need for systemic change in food production and consumption, highlighting the intrinsic connections between our food choices, environmental health, and community well-being. Key insights addressed Food Empathy, Gut Health, Plastic Waste in Food Production, Food Security, and the Impact of Below-Cost Selling on Horticulture.
As part of the event, ERINN Innovation highlighted the work we are doing in the agricultural sector through CAP Network Ireland’s Innovation Hub, which has been running thematic pilot studies focused on the Horticulture and Organics sectors.
Nature, Naturally
November’s theme was ‘Nature, Naturally’ and there was a great turnout from those passionate about the restoration of Ireland’s nature. Matthew Smith and Ray Ó Foghlú from nature restoration charity Hometree, gave an inspired keynote and highlighted the scale of restoration needed in Ireland. Hometree’s approach focuses on integrating community, culture, science and natural systems and the passion emanating from Matthew and Ray had an impact on those present. This community aspect grew throughout the evening, from the panel discussion to the immersive video presentation and indeed through networking with a growing Climate Cocktail Club community of like-minded individuals.
ERINN Innovation’s Shane McGuinness closed the event with a thought-provoking reflection. As founder and director of Peatland Finance Ireland, he also shared an update on the Peatland Standard for Ireland, which was open for public consultation until early December.
Christmas Cracker
The final Climate Cocktail Club of 2024 brought a little Christmas magic to the discussions. Ensuring that we left feeling a little jolly, climate comedian Matt Winning expertly wove humour through the stark realities of a world severely impacted by climate change. Joining via video call, Jonathan Foley, Executive Director at Project Drawdown gave a powerful presentation focusing on solutions to the climate crisis. Finally, THINKHOUSE’s Laura Costello showcased the inspiring ‘Good Life’ campaign, which focuses on connection rather than consumption, particularly relevant during the Christmas period.
This festive installment of the Climate Cocktail Club also featured a ‘Crappy Christmas Climate Pub Quiz’ which helped attendees unleash their competitive side. ERINN Innovation showcased the work of the Irish Ocean Literacy Network (IOLN) at this event, an organisation dedicated to achieving an Ocean Literate society across the island of Ireland.
Wrapping Up
The format of these events is unique in that there are opportunities to make connections in a more fun and relaxed environment. Many thanks are due to Climate Cocktail Club co-founder Tom Popple for organising and hosting the events.
Speaking at the close of the December 2024 event, Tom stressed that the Climate Cocktail Club was about “bringing people together and providing a space for inspirational people to gather and be heard.”
We have been delighted to support the Climate Cocktail Club in 2024 and the final festive event has nicely closed off another great year for ERINN Innovation. We wish everyone the very best for the Christmas season and the New Year.
Many thanks to all the speakers who have shared their insights and knowledge with us over the various Climate Cocktail Club events:
The WASTED RELAUNCH, October 2024:
Mick Kelly from GIY and Food Matters; Paul Brophy, the ‘Broccoli Baron’; John Gibbons, environmental journalist and commentator; Jess Dolinger, The Good Neighbour; Karen O’Donoghue, The Happy Tummy Company; Jeremy Haworth, poet
Nature, Naturally, November 2024
Heather Griffin and Patrick Mulvihill of Living Rhythms; Matt Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Hometree; Ray Ó Foghlú, Development Lead at Hometree; Dr Dan Exton, Director of Strategy at rePLANET; Ray Ó Foghlú lead the panel discussion, alongside: Dan Exton, Yvonne Buckley, Co-Director of the Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water; and Professor of Zoology, Trinity College Dublin, Marina Conway, Former CEO, Western Forestry Co-op, Thomas Duffy, Former Macra President & CEJA VP; and Dairy Farmer; Shane McGuinness, Founder of Peatland Finance Ireland
Christmas Cracker, December 2024
Matt Winning, Climate Change Comedian and Environmental Economist; Laura Costello of THINKHOUSE; Jonathan Foley of Project Drawdown
