23 May 2024 – Ireland urgently needs a comprehensive national policy that will employ Nature-based Solutions to combat the effects of climate change on our urban environments, says a group of five leading professional bodies within the construction, environmental, and planning sectors.

Members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Engineers Ireland, the Irish Landscape Institute, the Irish Planning Institute, and the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland came together earlier this year to discuss the role nature-based solutions can have on protecting the urban environment and our water quality and quantity. The event was supported by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The groups have now jointly published a report of their recommendations, which include the urgent need to establish a national policy on urban Nature-based Solutions.

Nature-based Solutions are designed to conserve, restore, and sustainably use water ecosystems to address environmental challenges. In urban environments these can take the form of replacing ghost islands on roads with rainwater gardens, natural and constructed wetlands to improve water quality, or restoration of floodplains to reduce flood risk.

In addition to the development of a national policy for Nature-based Solutions, the report also recommends the creation of a regulation and monitoring mechanism for such solutions, with a regulatory authority, and the development a comprehensive suite of technical design standards and documentation for such solutions.

Ireland is experiencing increased frequencies of heavy precipitation during the winter and autumn months and more extended dry periods within the spring and summer months due to climate change. These changes will cause extensive direct and indirect harm to Ireland and its people, with predicted impacts including increased likelihood of groundwater, river, and coastal flooding; increased coastal erosion; increased pressure on water supply and water quality; and changes in wind speeds and storm tracks.

Speaking about the report, on behalf of the group, Damien Owens, Director General of Engineers Ireland, said,

“Nature-Based Solutions are urgently needed to manage surface water in an environmentally responsible way, controlling not only flood risk, but enhancing water quality, quantity, and the biodiversity vital for our country’s ecological health.

“Regrettably, such risks are likely to increase as we deal with the challenges of climate change and we must turn to Nature-based Solutions to ensure that we adapt to these risks and that our most important natural resource, water, is effectively protected.”

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Cian O’Dowd, Engineers Ireland

Tel: 01 6651377/ 087 223 0125