Climate Change and Adaptation: Minister O’Donovan addresses the National Hydrology Conference in Athlone
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Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, today [15 November 2022] opened the 23rd annual National Hydrology Conference in Athlone. The event was organised by the joint Irish National Committees of the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme and the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. It is Ireland’s leading conference devoted to Hydrology, providing a unique forum for attendees to share policy developments, research results, and practical solutions to engineering hydrology issues.
This year’s conference theme – ‘Climate Change and Adaptation’ – aligns closely with the aims of COP27, which continues in Sharm El Sheikh this week, in addressing issues relating to building resilience and adapting to the inevitable impacts of climate change. The conference provides a platform for showcasing the science being used to quantify the expected effects of climate change in Ireland. This evidence base is necessary for a clear and targeted approach to climate adaptation over the coming years. The conference also deals with a range of important cross-cutting themes, including environmental hydrology, remote sensing, the future of water quality, flood risk management and climate monitoring.
Addressing the conference delegates, Minister O’Donovan gave an overview of the lead role of the Office of Public Works in the area of Flood Risk Management and future planned work in the associated fields of coastal change and climate adaptation.
Minister O’Donovan will say:
“This conference plays a vital role in providing a forum for presenting hydrological research and as a focal point for those wishing to advance their knowledge of both Irish and international hydrology. As an island nation, it is vital that we fully understand the range of behaviours of Irish catchments and their sometimes complicated hydrology.
“The OPW’s expertise in hydrology will be needed for the successful delivery of state-of-the-art flood relief schemes, climate change adaptation, flood estimation techniques, flood forecasting, river restoration, and natural flood retention measures. Our organisation is committed to working closely with our partners in the Environmental Protection Agency, Met Éireann, Geological Survey Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service amongst others to deliver key projects that address flood risk in Ireland and protect people, homes, businesses and communities.”
For further information, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie
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Examples of the OPW’s work to address flood risk in Ireland include the following:
- Maps of future flood extents under climate change scenarios have been published through our web-portal, floodinfo.ie
- The OPW has provided funding to the Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Regional Office for research to further improve our understanding of the potential impacts of changing rainfall patterns on different types of catchment in different regions and the final report is due by the end of this year
- Assessments have begun into the adaptability of flood relief schemes currently under design and those already completed
- The design brief for future schemes includes a requirement to consider and plan for adaptation needs
All information on Flood Relief Schemes and funding granted to local authorities under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme can be found on https://www.floodinfo.ie/ under Resources.