Stories of Impact
€1.2m Funding Boost for UCC Sustainability Institute Researchers to Advance Climate Research
Three UCC-led projects will deliver practical tools for infrastructure, communities, and energy systems, ensuring Ireland is better prepared for the challenges of a changing climate.
Researchers from the UCC Sustainability Institute will lead transformative projects to strengthen Ireland’s resilience to climate change, following the award of €1.2 million in funding through Met Éireann’s Weather and Climate Research Programme.
The investment, part of the national TRANSLATE climate services flagship programme, supports three UCC-led projects that will provide decision-makers, communities, and industries with tools to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Building resilience to extreme events
Dr Paraic Ryan (UCC Sustainability Institute, School of Engineering & Architecture) and Dr Jenny Harmon O’Driscoll (Department of Civil Engineering) will lead the BRACE project (Building Resilience and Adaptation Capacity for future extreme Events).
By addressing uncertainties in climate data and developing practical tools, BRACE will help ensure that infrastructure and planning decisions can withstand Ireland’s changing climate. The project will draw lessons from past extreme events such as Storm Ophelia, and engage closely with stakeholders including Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
“This funding will allow us to bridge the gap between climate science and engineering practice, supporting decision-makers in making robust, evidence-based investments for Ireland’s future,” said Dr Ryan.
Cross-sector benefits through data and storytelling
Dr Paul Holloway (UCC Sustainability Institute, School of Human Environment) and Dr Rosa Rogers (School of English and Digital Humanities) will lead the CLIMB project (Climate Services for Multi-sector Benefits).
CLIMB will harness machine learning to harmonise exposure, vulnerability and climate projection data across sectors, while also exploring innovative storytelling methods - including virtual reality - to enhance communication and engagement.
“This project recognises that climate adaptation is not only about data, but also about how people connect with information and act on it,” said Dr Holloway.
Securing Ireland’s net-zero energy future
The ClimEnergise project, led by Dr Vahid Aryanpur (UCC Sustainability Institute), will focus on integrating climate variability into Ireland’s energy system models. By examining the implications of climate impacts for renewable energy and energy security, the project will support robust planning for Ireland’s net-zero transition.
“Our goal is to ensure that Ireland’s energy systems remain reliable, resilient, and aligned with our climate goals, even as conditions become more uncertain,” Dr Aryanpur explained.
National impact
In total, Met Éireann awarded €2.8 million across six projects in its 2024 research call, with UCC researchers leading three of the six, underscoring the university’s leadership in climate adaptation research.
Professor Brian Ó Gallachóir, Director of the UCC Sustainability Institute, said:
“This success reflects UCC’s strong capacity to deliver research that addresses Ireland’s most urgent sustainability challenges. By equipping decision-makers with the tools and insights they need, these projects will have a tangible impact on how Ireland adapts to climate risks in the years ahead.”