Show notes
In this episode, we sit down with Alessandra Accogli and Elena Aitova to talk about peatlands, carbon, and the role of evidence in the public inquiry process.
Between them, they’ve contributed legal analysis and scientific work to submissions examining how peatlands are treated within planning decisions, and how those decisions line up with climate commitments. Elena brings her research on measuring greenhouse gas emissions from Irish raised bogs, and on what restoration and re-wetting actually change over time. Alessandra brings a legal perspective, looking at how policy, climate obligations, and planning processes intersect and where the gaps can open up.
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Alessandra Accogli is a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at Dublin City University, School of Law and Government. She currently teaches Climate Change Politics and International Human Rights Law. Prior to joining DCU, she completed her PhD at University College Dublin, Sutherland School of Law, where her research focused on the legal protection of peatlands as ecosystems that function as carbon sinks.
In addressing this issue, Alessandra adopted a holistic approach, examining peatlands not only as carbon stores but also as spaces of ecological, social, and cultural importance. Through her work, she seeks to promote an approach in which climate change mitigation measures go hand in hand with ecological integrity, social justice, and human rights considerations.
Building on her research on peatlands, Alessandra contributed to the rebuttal submitted to the Save Our Sperrins Public Inquiry by co-authoring an expert report with Elena. The report highlighted the inconsistency between Dalradian’s claim of climate neutrality and the significant impact that its proposed mining activities would have on peatland ecosystems.
Elena Aitova, PhD Researcher and Senior Scientist in Tetra Tech RPS
Elena Aitova is a peatland scientist specialising in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from peatlands. During her PhD, she monitored CO₂ and CH₄ at Cloncrow Bog (a domestic peat-extraction site in Co. Westmeath) and All Saints Bog (an industrial cutaway in Co. Offaly). She now works at Tetra Tech RPS, supporting peatland restoration projects across Ireland. She published a national review of Irish peatland GHG studies that is now used at the Ireland’s National Inventory Report.
For Save Our Sperrins, Elena contributed to the Curraghinalt/Dalradian submission by assessing potential carbon losses and restoration measures.
In addition to her research, Elena is also actively engaged in local and regional outreach and education incentives related to peatland use. Elena and Alessandra are members of the interdisciplinary Irish Peatlands Early Career Research (ECR) Action Team, within the international PeatECR network (peatecr.com)
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine )
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc