In this episode of Amplified, host Dusty Rhodes kicks off a special mini-series on sustainability with a powerful conversation about engineering’s critical role in achieving Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He’s joined by Niamh Breslin of IDA Ireland and Richard Manton from the University of Galway.
Together, they explore the reality of decarbonisation, grid resilience, and the transformative influence engineers have—from infrastructure to leadership. With insights into green economy investment, education, and collaboration across sectors, this episode is both a wake-up call and a blueprint for a more sustainable Ireland.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
- The central role engineers play in achieving Ireland’s climate targets
- IDA Ireland and their support of transformative investments in clean energy
- How University of Galway is driving change and embedding sustainability in education
- The importance of lifelong learning for engineers to adapt to a changing world
- The need for engineers to work with other scientific professionals, social scientists, and business leaders to solve sustainability challenges.
GUEST DETAILS
Niamh Breslin is Sustainability Manager at IDA Ireland. Niamh manages the development and implementation of IDA Ireland’s foreign direct investment Sustainability strategy, with a focus on decarbonisation of the FDI industry, and delivery of IDA Ireland’s commitments to the National Climate Action Plan.
Niamh has significant international experience and has successfully led teams in Dublin, London, Paris and Frankfurt. Niamh has a degree in Computational Linguistics from Dublin City University and a diploma in Business Management from University of Galway.
Dr Richard Manton is the Director of Sustainability at University of Galway, Ireland's leading university for sustainability and a National SDG Ambassador. He was previously the Registrar at Engineers Ireland and a Non-Executive Director at Bus Éireann.
Richard is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland with a BE in civil engineering, MA in financial management and a PhD in sustainable transportation. He is the current Chairperson of the Engineers Ireland West Region.
MORE INFORMATION
Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer.
https://www.engineersireland.ie/
QUOTES
There are companies in Ireland today that will see their Scope 1 carbon emissions reduced by 100%. This is real. It’s happening
— Niamh Breslin, IDA Ireland
Graduates are choosing employers based on sustainability. If your climate action plan isn’t strong, you’ll lose talent
— Niamh Breslin, IDA Ireland
Even with all of these ambitious plans, we’re only on track to hit about 23% emissions reduction by 2030. We need to be more radical
— Richard Manton, University of Galway
Electrification and public transport are the key. It’s not just about EVs—it’s about moving people, en masse, sustainably
— Richard Manton, University of Galway
We need engineers who can speak finance—who can sit with CFOs and show where the savings are. That’s how we get buy-in
— Niamh Breslin, IDA Ireland
KEYWORDS
#SustainableDevelopmentGoals #NetZero #RenewableEnergy #GridResilience #OffshoreWind