The impacts of dams and barriers on rivers and lakes is one of a number of research projects related to climate change announced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It is one of 24 new research projects awarded €6.5 million in the areas of climate change,
the natural environment, the green and circular economy and the environment and human health.
“The funding will address emerging research needs of policy makers in Ireland and respond to identified knowledge gaps for policy development and implementation,” the EPA says.
“The funding will support 148 research staff across 10 higher education institutions and will have a wide reach through 34 collaborating organisations across the public and private sectors in three different countries,”it says.
The EPA is working in partnership with Met Éireann and the Office of Public Works to co-fund a number of the research projects, including flood probability, flow statistics for rivers and climate modelling.
Topics covered in the new research round include:
- Assessing impacts of national policies on climate targets;
- Use of technology in peatland monitoring;
- Impacts of dams and barriers on rivers and lakes;
- Streamlining Strategic Environmental Assessment through the use of AI;
- Greening of laboratory analysis protocols;
- Greater understanding of sources and sinks of methane.
Announcing the funding awards, Dr Eimear Cotter, currently EPA deputy director general and due to take up the role of director-general of the organisation on March 8th, said the research will “play a vital role in supporting robust policy- and decision-making while ensuring the protection of our environment and climate”.
“The projects announced today will support targeted, policy‑relevant research and build connections with policy-makers and practitioners, and ultimately support more effective action. I congratulate the successful teams and look forward to seeing the positive impacts of their work,” she said.
The list of funded projects made under the EPA research call 2025 is available on the EPA website, where details of its 2026 research call can also be found.
