Shaping the future: integrating sustainability and policy in research and innovation

The use of natural products is rising across sectors, driven by economic, environmental, health and societal needs. While EU sustainability directives set ambitious plans, bioeconomy strategies are expanding globally, promoting biobased solutions with focus on sustainability and circularity across value chains [ 1 ]. Emphasis is given to collaboration and awareness to accelerate innovation and advance viable new solutions through biotech and biorefinery scale-up. Boglands are a unique habitat. They play a key role within climate change as peatlands store 1/3 of the world’s soil carbon and provide water storage [ 2 ]. To promote healthier planet and population and supporting the Irish bioeconomy strategy and policy [ 3 ] [ 4 ], we unlocked the potential of Ireland’s boglands as a natural pharmacy, disrupting the status quo and shifting their perception from a traditional fuel source to a valuable reservoir of bioactive compounds for health and wellness. Our research involved studying bogland plants, fostering collaboration across government, academia, industry and communities, while enhancing awareness of the biodiversity these landscapes offer. As climate change continues to pose global challenges, laboratories are recognised as environmentally intensive facilities. Promoting sustainable laboratory practices is a goal endorsed by the United Nations and recently by EU funding bodies. As Irish early adopters of international green certifications, we remain committed to implementing greener practices that inspire behavioural change and reduce environmental impact, while exploring innovative research. We engage with a national network to foster a culture of sustainability by design, sharing education and best practices to drive a paradigm shift in addressing global needs. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany