Trinity’s Environmental Society has voiced concerns about the newly announced CRH Chair of Climate Science position, particularly the company’s sponsorship of the position. The role was filled by Professor Karen Wiltshire, an environmental scientist, in July 2024.
The Environmental Society’s criticism highlights that the company CRH, which stands for Cement Roadstone Holdings, is a major player in the construction industry. The society stated that the Irish cement company which ranks as “Ireland’s third-largest carbon emitter.” They also say that Trinity’s acceptance of funds from other companies they call “clearly hostile to effective climate action” is an issue. The society pointed to the Ryanair Sustainable Aviation Research Centre, which recently received a fresh donation of €2.5 million, and College’s partnership with Coca-Cola, which was ranked “the world’s worst plastic polluter for five years running”, as examples of College’s poor record on sustainable infrastructure.
Although CRH won’t directly influence Professor Wiltshire’s partnership, the primary issue raised by the Environmental Society is Trinity’s perceived engagement in greenwashing. The letter argues that Trinity is prioritising the interest of industry’s stakeholders rather than genuine environmental concerns. It also called for Trinity to “address the problem at its source,” which they attribute to the capitalist agenda motivated by an “unceasing need for growth.” The society suggested that Trinity should endorse organisations like the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and to call out “our current government for its failures.”
