Management and technology consultancy BearingPoint, has launched an in-depth study on artificial intelligence (AI), emphasising the critical need for organisations to transition into augmented organisations to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving market landscape. The research reveals a notable scepticism towards AI among executives in Ireland and the UK, potentially delaying the necessary transformation.

An augmented organisation leverages AI and other emerging technologies to enhance capabilities and operational efficiency, reinventing customer and employee experiences and, ultimately, disrupting its value chain to stay relevant in the market. The study, titled 'AI-driven transformation: Becoming an augmented organisation,' underscores AI adoption as a strategic imperative for long-term success.

The research, which surveyed 700 C-suite executives across Europe (including 170 from Ireland and the UK), the US, and Asia, revealed key strategies and challenges in AI adoption.

Notably, there is scepticism towards AI among executives in Ireland and the UK, with 43% adopting a 'wait and see' approach. The study also found that only 38% of respondents in Ireland and the UK are directly involved in AI-related decision-making, but a significant portion is well-informed about AI initiatives.

Governance remains a focus area for Ireland and UK respondents, with 46% still contemplating the best approach to AI governance. 82% of these respondents believe that establishing an effective AI cross-functional task force is crucial for becoming an augmented organisation.

Worryingly, the study highlights that only 19% of C-suite executives in Ireland and the UK are actively adopting AI technologies with almost one in three organisations either having no AI implementations or have not started considering AI technologies. This is despite that fact that data readiness among UK&I respondents is relatively high, with only 1% unsure about their data readiness, 42% mostly ready, and 24% fully ready.

"AI is a present-day necessity, and the pace of AI innovation and its adoption by competitors and consumers is accelerating," said Stephen Redmond, director, head of data analytics & AI at BearingPoint. "Our study indicates that organisations that fail to integrate AI effectively are at significant risk of falling behind competitors already leveraging AI to enhance productivity, drive innovation, and deliver superior market experiences.

AI should be seen not just as a tool, but as a strategic asset that drives new value propositions and market differentiation."

Despite prioritising training, findings from the BearingPoint study indicate that only 38% of organisations in Ireland and the UK have a strategy for adopting Al and managing the changes it brings.

Four pillars for transitioning to an augmented organisation

The study serves as a comprehensive guide for C-suite executives, detailing how to strategically organise and equip their organisations to harness the full potential of emerging technologies. It underscores the importance of acquiring new skills and implementing innovative processes to adopt AI at a competitive market pace. Four key pillars are central to transitioning to an augmented organisation.

1. Establishing effective AI governance:

For C-suite executives, establishing AI governance is vital for becoming an augmented organisation, and nearly half of the organisations surveyed are still thinking about the best approach to governance and decision-making for AI. According to the study, cross-functional governance framework is essential to align AI initiatives with business objectives and ensure ethical use. It involves setting up a dedicated AI oversight committee to monitor and guide AI deployments across various departments.

It also includes establishing clear policies and protocols to manage data privacy, security, and compliance, ensuring that AI applications are not only effective but also responsible and transparent.

1. Optimising A...

The vast majority of Irish people (79pc) are not prepared to cut back on their annual holidays to allow them the financial capacity to retire early. An even greater number (84pc) would not be happy to spend less on presents for family or friends if doing so could better their chances of giving up the day job before they hit 65.

Furthermore, women in Ireland would be more likely than men to cut back on gifts (20pc versus 13pc), buy less clothes (39pc versus 28pc) and buy non-branded groceries (40pc versus 33pc) in order to better their chances of retiring early whereas men are more likely to cut back on holidays (24pc versus 19pc) and turn down the heating (23pc versus 20pc).

This is according to the results of a new survey of almost 900 Irish adults nationwide, which was commissioned by Gallagher, an Irish insurance broker and financial advisor. The survey examined the sacrifices people would be prepared to make and other steps they would be happy to take to set themselves up to retire early.

The survey revealed that the Top Five steps which people would take to retire early include:

1. Buy non-branded goods during the weekly grocery shop (37pc of those surveyed said they would be prepared to do so)

2. Buy less clothes (34pc)

3. Cut streaming services and tv packages like Sky etc (28pc)

4. Seek a promotion and pay rise in work (27pc)

5. Turn down home heating significantly (22pc)

Commenting on the survey findings, Jonathan Roche-Kelly, Director of Financial Services for Gallagher in Ireland, said:

"The thought of being able to give up your jobs in your 50s or even early 60s might appeal to many people, but to make this a reality in the future, the sacrifices would need to be made now, and understandably, there is only so far people are willing or able to go. Cost-of-living pressures and more pressing financial commitments - such as mortgages, rent and childcare - often mean people aren't in a position to make the financial sacrifices that might allow them to retire early.

While others simply relish the lifestyle they are leading and don't wish to change it.

It is perhaps unsurprising that few would be prepared to sacrifice travel in order to retire early. The number of Irish people heading abroad for holidays has surged in recent years - the latest figures from the CSO on this show that Irish people took 43pc more holiday trips abroad in the first three months of 2024 when compared to the same months in 2023.

Interestingly, our survey has found that Irish people are more prepared to cut back on more run-of-the-mill items such as clothes, TV subscriptions and branded grocery items - in order to free up more money to save in their pension. Cutting back on these day-to-day items alone is unlikely to generate the savings that would be required in order to retire early, though - much bigger financial sacrifices and lifestyle changes would likely have to be made.

This could include cutting overall expenses to the bone - including the much-loved sun holiday - and even embarking on a complete change of career so that more income is earned and, in turn, saved."

Other headline findings from the Gallagher survey reveal that:

One in seven (14pc) would be prepared to take on a second job in order to better their chances of retiring early with a similar number (14pc) saying they would be happy to save half their income.

One in four (25pc) said they wouldn't be prepared to give up certain items - or take other steps - in order to be able to save more into their pension and retire early.

Those aged 25-34 are most likely to make some sacrifices in order to retire early, with only 2pc of this age cohort saying they wouldn't do so. This compared to 30pc of those aged 35-44 and 38pc of those aged over 55.

Mr Roche-Kelly added:

"From the findings, it looks like the older people get, the less likely they are to make cutbacks- but perhaps they simply don't see any areas in which they can do so.

Interestingly our research found that whether or no...

The Marine Institute has published its Climate Action Roadmap 2024, setting out the organisation's key operational achievements in relation to sustainability and energy.

These include an overall energy efficiency reduction of 39.7% compared to the 2009 baseline, successful installation of Solar PV Rooftop systems (providing green electricity to facilities in Oranmore and Newport), and a successful trial using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as an alternative fuel for the Institute's research vessels. HVO is a low-carbon biofuel that serves as a replacement for fossil fuels.

Other energy-saving projects include a boiler upgrade at Oranmore, LED lighting upgrades throughout Oranmore and Newport buildings, and air conditioning upgrades in Oranmore (with centralised control to meet the requirements of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive).

CEO of the Marine Institute, Dr Rick Officer, said, "The Marine Institute's Climate Action Roadmap 2024 demonstrates our commitment to delivering on responsibilities outlined in the Climate Action Plan 2024, and the Climate Action Mandate. Sustainability is at the heart of how we work in the Marine Institute, and a guiding principle for our organisation.

"We are extremely proud of our progress over the past 12 months in the vital areas of sustainability and energy. Our achievements result from the combined effort and innovation of colleagues working across the Institute."

The Climate Action Roadmap 2024 also details how the Institute's Oranmore facility has reduced its energy consumption by 41% (March 2024), relative to the 2015 baseline.

Four more teams commenced the process for My Green Lab accreditation over the past year, leading the way in sustainability from a laboratory perspective. The programme seeks to reduce the environmental impacts of laboratories - through a combination of organisational initiatives and behaviour change programmes.

A core challenge for the Institute in reducing its overall consumption is the energy required to operate its research vessels (RV Tom Crean and RV Celtic Explorer). The continued activity of these vessels is essential to delivering on the organisation's remit to protect, and contribution to marine sustainability.

Vital work carried out on the vessels focuses on sustainable seafood, how we manage our ocean space (marine spatial planning), how we protect marine biodiversity (marine protected areas), offshore renewable energy (decarbonisation of energy systems), and how the ocean impacts climate change.

Included in the Climate Action Roadmap 2024 is the Marine Institute's Energy Policy. Having this policy in place demonstrates the commitment of the organisation as a whole in the implementation of the ISO 50001 Energy Management System. The Marine Institute aims to achieve certification of ISO 50001 during 2025.

You can download the Climate Action Roadmap 2024 here.

More than half of people (52%) in Ireland trust GenAI to give medical advice that will direct them to the right medical care, but their comfort levels drop to 42% if a doctor uses it as an assistant.

This data comes from a Deloitte survey of 2,484 participants in Ireland, examining trust in GenAI. From summarising the news to recommending insurance or financial products, GenAI is trusted to produce reliable results but more so for personal use.

For respondents who use AI:

73% trust it to generate summaries of news articles,

64% trust it to provide information about relevant laws and regulation to help you understand your legal options in a legal situation,

67% on providing personalised assistance about public services,

62% to recommend insurance companies,

and 59% to recommend financial products such as investments.

However, users of GenAI trust businesses using it for these purposes less. For example, while nearly three-quarters trust GenAI to summarise news articles, only half (50%) trust an article that was written by a journalist using GenAI. Similarly, only 42% trust a medical diagnosis when a doctor used GenAI as an assistant and 47% for banks using it to assess eligibility when applying for loans or mortgages.

Employees believe AI will improve their work experience and output

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of survey respondents who use GenAI say it can help businesses improve their products or services and over a third (67%) say GenAI can create better work experiences for employees.

36% believe they would complete their tasks faster, 35% say it would improve the quality of their work, and 34% think it will provide ideas that they wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

More than one-fifth (23%) believe their company does not have a policy or guidance about using GenAI in the workplace, but nearly half (42%) say their company encourages its use for work purposes.

Emmanuel Adeleke, Partner, Technology & Transformation, Deloitte Ireland, says it's important that businesses make a conscious effort to build trust when it comes to developing Gen AI:

"It's exciting to see that so many respondents recognise the opportunities AI can bring, from helping with brainstorming to improving the quality of work produced. With more than two-thirds saying it can create a better working environment, it shows organisations that there is an opportunity to help their employees be happier in work and ultimately produce improved results.

"There is a disparity between the personal and business use of AI, and we see a drop in trust in cases such as a doctor or a journalist using it in their work. This re-emphasises why we need to build trust and fluency in this transformative tool."

See more stories here.

Inside Cyber, by Chuck Brooks, takes complex ideas about emerging technologies and provides a simplistic explanation of the technology. Brooks takes technology such as quantum computing, 5G, and Artificial Intelligence, and explains the positives and negatives of these new technologies.

We live in a world that seems like it's changing by the day. Keeping up with the times and understanding all of the new technology around us can seem like an impossible task, especially as it affects our daily lives. Just a few years ago, Artificial Intelligence was considered to only exist in Sci-Fi movies. Cellular speeds are coming close to rivalling Wi-Fi as global satellite communication nears. Countries are scrambling as they prepare for the looming threat of cyber attacks aided by AI.

These new technologies will forever change the way the world operates. This book dives into what may seem like an existential threat, providing necessary steps to remain safe and secure.

Cybersecurity

Brook's passion for cybersecurity and protecting the globe against technological threats is clear with over 10 chapters addressing these issues and how to prevent them. The first 5 chapters break down the common definition of cybersecurity; detailing likely targets of cyber attacks, different types and methods of cyber attacks, and how to best prevent them from occuring. It provides a valued education about cyber security and preventative habits to protect yourself, your business, and your home.

According to the book, in 2023, there were 343,338,964 reported victims of cyber attacks. Email is the most common vector for malware, with about 35% of the malware delivered via email in 2023. Business email compromises accounted for $2.7 billion in losses in 2022.

Artificial Intelligence

The next 13 chapters talk about Artificial Intelligence. If you're an avid AI enthusiast, this book goes into considerable detail explaining different types of AI, the current state and potential of AI, and how AI plays a role in our world and cybersecurity. Brooks does a fantastic job bringing his knowledge of the subject and conveying it to understand the ramifications of this technology.

While tech such as AI can benefit society in many ways, the book also explains the risk factors with Artificial Intelligence and how it could soon be used as a weapon.

Rather than focus solely on the technical aspects of AI, Brooks dedicates 3 chapters to exploring the relationship between AI and privacy, healthcare, and ethics. As AI continues to evolve, there are moral concerns with the human condition and the potential of AI's evolution. How much access and trust will society give to AI? When given personal information, will AI recognize an individual's need for privacy and confidentiality?

Conclusion

To conclude the book, Brooks wraps up by talking about quantum computing and 5G, alluding to the future of not only the internet but the world as we know it. These technologies have already changed the way we model businesses and personal lives and will only continue paving the way.

Although thick with knowledge and information, the book is rather concise, with the main text of the book finishing just under 200 pages. It's broken down into 25 different chapters, which makes for an easy read. The book also includes various graphics, charts, and images to help conceptualize topics that may be more difficult to grasp. While reading, being able to visualize the subject helped further my understanding of the topic.

Presenting information such as a NIST cyber security framework as an image allows for further comprehension.

Chuck Brooks is a seasoned executive and consultant with over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity, emerging technologies, marketing, business development, and government relations. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, where he teaches graduate courses on risk management, homeland security, and cyber security.

As the winter months approach, keeping energy costs down becomes a priority for both renters & homeowners. Martin Desmond, Managing Director at Cork-based Wizer Energy has shared some key insights and practical tips that residents can apply to lower their energy bills as temperatures dip.

Renters - What Can You Do?

Renters often feel limited in how much they can influence their energy bills, particularly in older buildings. However, there are several small but effective changes renters can make to lower energy usage and in turn, their bills.

"There are a lot of people renting in this country and they may be living in older, more energy-inefficient buildings which mean things can be pretty precarious as the temperatures drop and the days become shorter, the good news is there are a few things you can do to save some money and offset any big bills that may be racked up," said Desmond.

Heating The Space Correctly

"Heating is one of the biggest costs in winter, but small adjustments can make a big impact. If you can lower your thermostat by just one degree you can reduce your heating bill by up to 10% annually. This means savings of around €150 to €200 a year depending on the size of your rental property," explains Desmond.

He continues, "If you're in a position to do so, you can also talk to your landlords about really simple energy efficiency improvements. Installing draught excluders or asking for thicker curtains can reduce heat loss significantly. If you're paying for heat, these steps can lead to another 5-8% savings on bills.

It's something so small but it makes a huge difference - Also you'll see in a lot of older properties that there'll be significant issues with damp, if you get some thicker curtains in and pair them up with a draught excluder, you're seriously mitigating the risk of mould growth by reducing the amount of condensation that may form on walls and windows."

Appliances - Fridges, Washing Machines & What to Do

Be energy efficient with appliances. Renters often assume there's little they can do, but there are plenty of small tricks that can have a big impact. Martin advises, "Fridges and freezers mostly account for 10-20% of energy bills. Here's the interesting part, these machines actually work more efficiently when they're full, so by keeping them well stocked you'll ensure proper air circulation, which can reduce their energy usage by up to 10%.

If you have something to defrost, let it do so in the fridge overnight - it lowers the fridge's temperature, reducing its workload."

Washer and Dryers

"Washing at lower temperatures is another great tip. Setting your washing machine to 30 degrees instead of 40 can save up to 40% on energy use per load. Similarly, avoid using the dryer unless necessary - dry clothes on a clothes horse instead.

Electricity costs have soared in recent years and the dryer can be a massive drain on your pocket, to dry an average load of clothes you could be looking at costs as high as €2 depending on the age & energy rating of your unit, so try and dry them elsewhere if you can."

Lighting - LEDs the Way to Go

Lighting is often overlooked, but switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs can reduce lighting costs by 75%. "It's a small investment with big returns. Energy-efficient bulbs can reduce annual electricity bills by as much as €50 for an average rental property, so don't miss out!"

Smart usage of cooking appliances is another key strategy. "Use your microwave, air fryer, or even a slow cooker instead of the oven, whenever possible," suggests Martin, "These appliances use significantly less energy and are often more convenient for a busy renter."

Shop Around!

Many renters aren't aware they can switch energy suppliers. "If you're renting a property and paying for your electricity and gas, you're entitled to switch providers. Doing so could save you up to €300 a year" advises Martin - Smart meters and energy monitors can also help.

"Installing a monitor is a simple way to track usage ...

The Fintech sector in Ireland has emerged as a major force in the global financial landscape, reshaping how financial services are delivered and consumed.

Since its early days in the 2000s, driven by technological advancements in payment solutions and e-money services, Ireland has become a notable hub, boasting a Fintech adoption rate of 71%, well above the global average of 64% as of 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this shift, with mobile banking transactions rising by approximately 54% during that period, demonstrating a significant shift towards digital financial solutions among consumers.

Prominent companies, including Stripe, Mastercard, and TransferMate, have established strong roots in the country, benefiting from a supportive regulatory framework implemented by the Central Bank of Ireland. This framework encompasses a wide array of areas, such as open banking, cryptocurrency, and crowdfunding, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and investment.

By the end of 2021, Ireland was home to over 280 domestic Fintech firms and 130 international players, indicating robust growth in the sector and positioning the country as a vibrant hub for financial technology.

Historical Background

The journey of Fintech in Ireland can be traced back to the early 2000s when technology began to disrupt traditional financial services. Initial advancements focused on payment solutions and e-money services, laying the groundwork for subsequent growth in the sector.

By the end of 2021, the payments and e-money sector experienced a 45% increase in firms and an 83% rise in transactions, highlighting a significant shift towards digital services among consumers.

Key Players in the Irish Fintech Scene

Ireland's Fintech ecosystem features a mix of established firms and innovative startups. Prominent companies like Stripe, Mastercard, and TransferMate have leveraged Ireland's favourable environment to grow their operations.

Besides these giants, numerous startups like CurrencyFair, Payslip, and ID-Pal are making strides in specialised areas, such as foreign currency exchange, payroll management, and Know Your Customer (KYC) solutions.

Regulatory bodies like the Central Bank of Ireland play a crucial role in supporting these developments, offering frameworks that cover payments, open banking, cryptocurrency, and crowdfunding. The Innovation Hub, set up by the Central Bank, has provided engagement opportunities for over 300 Fintech companies since its establishment.

Regulatory Framework and Government Support

The regulatory framework governing the Fintech sector in Ireland is multifaceted and operates within both national and European contexts. Key institutions involved include the Central Bank of Ireland, which serves as the primary regulator for financial services in the country.

Central Bank of Ireland

The Central Bank is responsible for authorising and supervising financial services providers in Ireland, ensuring compliance with prudential and conduct of business requirements. It is an integrated regulator, with its powers and responsibilities defined under the Central Bank of Ireland Act of 1942 and subsequent amendments.

The Bank actively participates in EU policy development, engaging with the Department of Finance and other stakeholders to influence new EU legislation. This includes oversight of regulated entities and enforcement actions against breaches of financial services legislation.

Compliance and Reporting

Fintech companies categorised as "designated persons" under the Criminal Justice Act 2010 are required to adhere to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules. These regulations are applicable regardless of a company's authorisation status, with EU and Irish financial sanctions also relevant to all Fintech firms.

The Funds Transfer Regulation further mandates payment service providers to ensure proper information accompanies fund transfers to aid in the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing.

Governme...

The Moonshot Celebration, a revolutionary initiative that bridges human aspirations with space exploration, is set to send 384,400 wishes to the Moon - symbolizing every kilometre of the distance from Earth to our celestial neighbour.

Spearheaded by visionary leaders Iwona Fluda, Dr Cornelia Kawann, and Ben Haldeman, this historic mission aims to democratize access to space, amplify creativity, and inspire a global community to dream and act boldly.

The first rocket launch is scheduled for December 30th, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the journey to connect humanity through dreams and shared aspirations.

The Visionaries Behind Moonshot Celebration

Iwona Fluda, founder of Ministry of Creativity LLC, is the driving force behind the Moonshot Celebration. Known for her commitment to fostering creativity and innovation, Iwona aims to make space exploration accessible to all, inviting people from around the world to send their dreams to the Moon.

Dr. Cornelia Kawann, founder of the Energy On Institute, is the co-initiator of the project. Cornelia has empowered individuals worldwide to harness their energy for meaningful transformation. Through the Moonshot Celebration, she invites people to align their dreams with cosmic possibilities.

Ben Haldeman, founder of Lifeship, brings his expertise in space exploration to this initiative. Lifeship, known for preserving humanity's legacy in space, has already launched DNA and data into the cosmos. Ben's involvement ensures that the Moonshot Celebration's wishes are securely sent aboard a SpaceX rocket, with the first launch scheduled for December 30, 2024, and a second launch planned for spring 2025. This journey will unite humanity's hopes and aspirations on the lunar surface.

About the Moonshot Celebration

The Moonshot Celebration is more than a space mission - it is a global movement to connect humanity through dreams, creativity, and shared aspirations. The project invites individuals from across the globe to submit their wishes, which will be immortalized digitally and physically on the Moon, carried by the Firefly Blue Ghost Lander. Participants will receive personalized certificates - digitally or in beautifully printed form - celebrating their involvement in this historic milestone.

The December 30th launch will mark the beginning of this extraordinary journey, bringing people's dreams to the Moon and bridging the gap between our hopes and the stars.

Now Collecting Wishes for Spring 2025 Launch

While preparations are underway for the upcoming launch in December, we are also collecting new wishes for the next launch in spring 2025. This provides even more opportunities for individuals to join this cosmic journey and be part of something historic and inspiring.

The Moonshot Celebration is calling on visionary partners to join this audacious mission to democratize space. This initiative presents a unique opportunity for companies, educational institutions, and organizations to engage in space exploration, cultural transformation, and global collaboration.

The Moonshot Celebration is an invitation to dream without limits and be part of a historic journey that redefines what is possible. You can submit your wish here.

A local community in the Highlands has agreed to explore the purchase of some or all of the 513-acre Bunloit estate by Loch Ness with support from charity Trees for Life, to ensure community-led rewilding on the land by the world-famous loch.

Following a public consultation event at Glenurquhart Public Hall in Drumnadrochit on 25 September, Glen Urquhart Rural Community Association (GURCA) is to explore all options for purchasing all or part of the estate.

The current owners, Highlands Rewilding Ltd, recently announced that the land will be going onto the market in October. The company - whose stated purpose is "nature recovery and community prosperity through rewilding taken to scale" - has until January 2025 to pay off a £11m loan with the UK Infrastructure Bank and Top Online Partners, taken out to secure land for nature restoration.

Bunloit lies in Glen Urquhart on the western shores of Loch Ness and includes a mosaic of habitats from native woodland to peatland.

Susan Griffin, Chair of GURCA, said: "We have decided to explore this rare opportunity for a community buyout, given that Highlands Rewilding founder and CEO Jeremy Leggett has said the local community will have first refusal on any purchase."

GURCA and Trees for Life say that any community purchase of all or some of Bunloit would be to protect and restore habitats to tackle nature and climate emergencies while generating local benefits including nature-based jobs, better health, and re-peopling.

"We will be fully supporting the community as it investigates the purchase of land at Bunloit for what could be an exciting model of locally-led rewilding to restore biodiversity and enrich lives," said Steve Micklewright, Chief Executive of Trees for Life.

Details of the land sale at Bunloit - and at Highland Rewilding's other estates at Tayvallich in Argyll and Beldorney in Banffshire - were made public on 1 October.

In a statement on its website, Highlands Rewilding says: "We will give preference to local communities wanting to buy the plots of land we are offering so long as we are able to fulfil our obligations to our 809 shareholders. We have three priority categories of land sale, and our local communities come first in all of them."

The statement also makes clear that Highlands Rewilding can choose who it sells the land to, and this doesn't necessarily need to be to the highest bidder. The company says: "We are trying to sell land, making no profit, so that it can be locked up for community-centered nature recovery, essentially forever."

Lhyfe, one of the world's pioneers in the production of green and renewable hydrogen, and Elyse Energy, a European specialist in the production of low-carbon molecules, have announced that they plan to jointly develop the production of e-methanol from green renewable hydrogen at the heart of the Loire estuary's industrial and logistics port ecosystem.

This project, known as Green Coast, is of major importance for the area and for the entire maritime transport sector, which is seeking to achieve decarbonisation.

Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port has been committed for several years to decarbonising its activities, which are still heavily dependent on fossil fuels. This transition to energies that are more respectful of the climate and the environment has become a requirement for competitiveness, and even survival, for European ports.

This ambition is supported at all levels, in particular by the Pays de la Loire Region and the Saint-Nazaire Agglomération urban community, which are actively supporting the transition underway in the Nantes Saint-Nazaire industrial port area.

Decarbonisation is stimulating the emergence of a new industrial fabric in the region, with European-scale projects creating new long-term jobs linked to these sectors. The Loire Estuaire Décarbonation ZIBaC programme will ensure consistency and the development of strong industrial synergies between the various decarbonisation projects in the estuary area.

In late 2023, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port selected Lhyfe to set up an industrial production and distribution operation for green hydrogen. At the time, Lhyfe presented its plans to build an industrial unit with a renewable green hydrogen production capacity of up to 85 tonnes per day (installed electrolysis capacity of 210 MW), in Montoir-de-Bretagne, to the north of the Multivrac terminal, by 2028.

Elyse Energy has positioned itself to produce renewable fuel in the industrial port zone. A synergy between these two project leaders led to the signing of an exclusive agreement to study the feasibility of producing e-methanol from Lhyfe's green hydrogen, to decarbonise maritime transport. The rest of the production would be used to decarbonise mobility and local industry.

This project, called Green Coast, will be located at the Montoir-de-Bretagne industrial port hub, near the quayside. Elyse plans to produce 150,000 tonnes of e-methanol a year at the site.

Green Coast, which fits in fully with the local industrial context, is part of the Loire Estuaire Décarbonation initiative, supported by France 2030 via the Low Carbon Industrial Zone or ZIBaC call for projects, and led by ADELE, which includes Saint-Nazaire Agglomération, the Estuaire & Sillon association of municipalities, the Pays de la Loire Region, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port and the Association des Industriels Loire Estuaire (AILE).

The project is currently under development and is subject to the granting of operating licenses, building permits and financial investment decisions. The conclusions of the initial studies will be communicated in 2025.

Decarbonising maritime transport is a key challenge for achieving the dual objective of carbon neutrality and an exit from fossil fuels. The shipping sector, which handles 80% of world trade, accounts for 14% of CO2 emissions from transport in Europe and is firmly committed to decarbonisation, with several sustainable options for ship propulsion.

Renewable green renewable hydrogen: more than 95% of the hydrogen produced today - so-called "grey" hydrogen - is derived from fossil fuels. Renewable green hydrogen, which is beginning to develop, is produced by the electrolysis of water and therefore requires two components: water and renewable electricity.

Its production emits very little CO2. When this hydrogen is used, the water molecule reforms, emitting only water vapour. Lhyfe, a world pioneer in this technology, has been producing green hydrogen since 2021 and is encouraging the development of a virtuous value chain...