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Project title

Transboundary Climate Risks for Island of Ireland (TCRII)

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Department of Transport

Lead Organisation

Maynooth University (MU)

Lead Applicant

n/a

Project Abstract

In a highly interconnected global society, identifying and managing cascading climate impacts and associated risks is critical to ensure a resilient and healthy society. As the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change highlights, the cross-border dimensions of climate change have regional and/or global repercussions, and Europe will need to actively monitor and mitigate these transboundary climate risks to ensure political, economic and environmental stability (EC, 2021). The Island of Ireland has shared geography and climatic influences, and certain impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, and other challenges and opportunities of climate change are likely to be felt on an all-island basis. Moreover, the cascading impacts of climate change of regional and global trade, human security and development outcomes will have implications for policies such as international cooperation, migration, trade and security. The research priorities outlined in the National Adaptation Framework (NAF) reflect these realities (DCCAE,2018). Furthermore, the NAF also includes the objective to avail of opportunities to collaborate with other jurisdictions to tackle common challenges on adaptation and resilience and to consider transboundary impacts and synergies when they arise. The criticality of collaboration across jurisdictions in response to climate change is reflected in the Department of the Taoiseach�s Shared Island Dialogues, in Project Ireland 2040 and by the British Irish Council. The Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019-2024 also notes the opportunities for collaborating on an all-island basis in several areas such as invasive species. This research project will consider cross border adaptation issues on an all-island basis and identify areas where Ireland will face challenges from climate change internationally. This is critical to creating resilient communities in the face of climate change and in doing so to mitigate the risks associated with trade, environment, security and extreme weather events. Taking a risk-based approach this project will explore the key cross-border, transboundary and international impacts of climate change for Ireland. In doing so it will identify transboundary synergies that can be developed in terms of information and policy solutions to build the resilience of mutually significant sectors that face similar challenges and opportunities. The project includes an inventory of impacts of common climate risks (e.g., coasts, water resources, invasive species, air quality, impacts on energy and transport infrastructure) on an all-island basis and presents common solutions. Moreover, a critical component of the research is an identification and analysis, on a risk basis, of the implications of climate change for Ireland given interconnected global societies (e.g., migration, conflict, displacement), ecosystems and economies. In doing so this innovative project will provide the evidence necessary to improve our knowledge systems and inform policy decisions that will advance our ambitions to be carbon neutral and resilient to climate disruption.

Grant Approved

�99,786

Research Hub

Climate research

Research Theme

Being prepared for Ireland�s future climate.

Start Date

04/01/2022

Initial Projected Completion Date

03/01/2023