Podcast: John Brosnan – Irish Co-operative Organisation Society

[ E12 ]

In this episode of Co-op Leader Conversations, John Brosnan, Bioeconomy Executive at the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, discusses how Irish co-operatives are leading the transition to a bio-based, low-emissions economy.

John explains the bioeconomy in practical terms, focusing on the cascading use of biological resources to create higher-value products while reducing emissions and waste. He outlines how strong EU and Irish policy frameworks are accelerating this shift and why co-operatives are well suited to manage the scale, risk and coordination required.

The conversation explores new business models, including second-level co-operatives and special purpose vehicles, that allow co-ops to collaborate with government, finance and private partners while keeping farmers and members at the centre. John stresses the importance of avoiding stranded assets and ensuring value flows back to primary producers.

Drawing parallels between Ireland and New Zealand, John highlights shared challenges and opportunities, from climate pressure to export logistics. He closes by emphasising the long history of cooperation between the two countries and the potential for deeper collaboration in the decade ahead.

Conversation themes

• The bioeconomy and cascading value creation

• Climate policy and cooperative strategy

• Collaborative ownership and risk sharing

• Farmer confidence and value capture

• Ireland–New Zealand cooperation

Why this matters

This episode is particularly relevant for co-operatives exploring climate-aligned innovation and new value streams. It provides a coherent framework linking strategy, governance and long-term resilience in a cooperative-led bioeconomy.

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