February Four projects supported by EPA to address climate and environmental challenges

Four academics at University of Galway have been awarded funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for projects to address climate and environment challenges. 

The research covers the areas of air quality; radioactive material in building products; climate resilience for bridges; and optimising resources. 

The University of Galway projects are:

- Myra Lydon - Towards a Climate Resilient Adapted National Network of Bridges

- Jurgita Ovadnevaite - Sources of PM2.5 in the Air of Irish Towns

- Mark Foley - NORM-BMI: Investigation of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in building materials in Ireland.

- Thomas van Rensburg - Framework for Optimising Resources through Strategic Environmental Assessment

University of Galway Vice-President for Research and Innovation Professor Jim Livesey said: “The funding awards achieved by University of Galway academics show a clear commitment and desire for research for the public good by tackling challenges which our affecting the daily lives of people at home and abroad. University of Galway is recognised as a leader on sustainability – as well as it being one of our core values. Universities are key to the pursuit of improving people’s lives and we wish our researchers every success as they work on outcomes to support that ambition in a cleaner, healthier, better environment.”

The EPA described the funding awards as a reflection of its ongoing commitment to funding environmental and climate research.

Announcing the awards, Laura Burke, EPA Director General said: “Scientific research and innovation are playing an increasingly important role in informing how governments and society can respond to the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation. The projects announced today will address knowledge gaps, both current and future, to provide robust evidence to support the implementation of effective environmental policies in Ireland.

This EPA funding will also help to build transdisciplinary research capacity and talent in Ireland in key areas relating to sustainability transitions and societal transformations. These specialist skills and expertise are essential to enable Ireland to effectively leverage the full range of environmental, economic and societal opportunities offered by the green transition. I congratulate the successful research teams and look forward to seeing the project outputs making a positive contribution to environmental protection in the years ahead.”

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