Report: Risk to crop yields as Ireland projected to get warmer and wetter
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) today (Wednesday, June 4) published Ireland's first National Climate Change Risk Assessment report, which identifies 115 risks from projected changes in climate conditions.
These risks are likely to impact on energy, transport, communications, water security, public health, food production and supply, and ecosystems.
According to the EPA, it identified a total of 43 significant risks for Ireland.
Source: EPA (June 2025)
Laura Burke, EPA director general said today:'We know that Ireland is being impacted by climate change already.
'This comprehensive assessment highlights the need for additional urgent action to ensure Ireland is sustainably resilient to the risks that we currently face, and will increasingly experience, in the coming decades.
'Recent events, such as Storms Darragh and Éowyn, demonstrated how damage to critical infrastructure such as energy, water supply, transport and communications networks in turn give rise to impacts on human health, biodiversity, and the financial system.'
In the report, the EPA also stipulates that some 'significant risks' require urgent action within the next five years. These are:
The risk of disruption and damage to communications and energy distribution infrastructure due to extreme wind;
The risk of disruption and damage to buildings and transport infrastructure due to extreme wind, coastal erosion, and coastal flooding.
Climate risk assessment report
The report also details that by the end of this century 'extreme heat' is identified as a priority risk.
According to the EPA, Ireland's climate is projected to get warmer with average temperatures increasing across all seasons and on an annual basis, while the number of heatwaves is also forecast to increase.
The National Climate Risk Assessment report also identifies potential 'opportunities' as a result of climate change for certain economic sectors, including a longer season for outdoor activities which could boost tourism-related businesses.
According to the EPA, there could also be a longer growing season and 'improved livestock nutrition and grazing because of higher average temperatures'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Forestry and fisheries sectors to get €160m boost under revised development plan
An additional €160m is to be spread over 2026-2030, and will be directed towards TAMS for forestry, fishery, harbour centres, and seafood development. This comes after the publication of a revised National Development Plan (NDP), which has been welcomed by minister for agriculture Martin Heydon. The revised NDP sets out the department's five-year money allocation plan. The NDP aims to support economic, social, and environmental development in rural and coastal communities. Mr Heydon said: 'The NDP allocation that I secured for my department will contribute to improved competitiveness, including through research and innovation, capital investment at the industry level to support international market diversification, and investment to meet climate and environmental obligations.'' Investing in TAMS is a key priority for the department. This investment supports competitiveness on Irish farms, generational renewal and supports slurry storage that will be a critical component in supporting the case for the renewal of the Nitrates Derogation. Funds will also help forestry minister Michael Healy-Rae to fund the Forestry Windblow Reconstruction Scheme, which relates to damage caused by Storms Darragh and Éowyn, which extends to 25,750 hectares of forestry, of which 11,600 hectares are in private ownership. Speaking on the revised funds, Mr Healy-Rae said: 'These additional funds will support the department in addressing forestry window damage due to Storms Darragh and Éowyn. The Forest Windblow Taskforce that I established earlier this year has been calling for funds on this, and I am delighted that this has been reflected by the Government in the NDP allocation to my department.'' Additional funds here will assist fisheries minister Timmy Dooley to prioritise the development of Howth and Ros an Mhíl harbours, which are currently major development projects. Once completed, these improvements aim to improve the viability and sustainability of the seafood sector. Mr Dooley said 'This funding will ensure the continued development of Howth Harbour and Ros an Mhíl, as funds have already been expended on these projects. Howth Harbour is already facing operational difficulties, with some vessels being diverted to Dún Laoghaire due to their inability to safely enter the harbour. Unless it is dredged, Howth Harbour will become inaccessible to fishing boats, the RNLI and other harbour users.'' Mr Heydon said: 'This plan is ambitious, and investment is required to fulfil this ambition. Public capital investments in the agri-food sector will seek to support the sustainable development of the sector in accordance with the ambition in Food Vision 2030 and the new CAP regulations. "The agri-food sector is an essential part of the economic and social fabric of Ireland. Our world-class food and drink companies continue to bring high quality and distinctive produce to global markets. This sector will continue to deliver food security for Ireland and other countries. This is needed more than ever in the current economic climate of tariffs.''
Irish Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Two Dublin beaches hit with 'Do Not Swim' notices for next seven days
Swimmers have been warned not to swim at two popular Dublin beaches for the next seven days, council chiefs have warned. A 'Do Not Swim' notice has been put in place at Front Strand at Balbriggan beach and Claremont beach in Howth by Fingal County Council. This is due to elevated bacterial results in the seawater at both beaches. The council said 'the incident is expected to last seven days.' This means beach goers at the two beaches are prohibited from swimming in the sea at both beaches until next Wednesday, July 30. In the alert issued, the council stated: 'Claremont Beach and Front Strand Beach will remain open - but beach users are asked to respect the 'Do Not Swim' notice as it has been put in place to ensure that the health of bathers is not compromised. 'Members of the public can check for water quality at any of the monitored bathing waters in Ireland in advance by accessing the EPA website at or by checking the notice board at the entrance to each beach,' the council stated in its alert. This alert comes as swimming on Sandymount Strand in south Dublin has been banned for the entire 2025 season. It means swimmers can't return to the Irish sea spot until the bathing season is over, which runs from June 1 to September 15. The reason for the ban is that the water quality at the beach, tested by Dublin City Council, is poor. Swimming in poor quality water could expose beachgoers to pollution and risk creating health problems. Dublin City Council said on Monday, July 21: "A swim restriction applies at Sandymount Strand for the entire 2025 season.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Independent
23-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Two Dublin beaches hit with ‘do not swim' notices due to high levels of bacteria
On July 23, Fingal County Council raised a red flag for both Front Strand in Balbriggan and Claremont Beach in Howth, saying the incident is expected to last for the next seven days. The restrictions were introduced on the advice of the HSE after the results of routine bathing water samples at both beaches showed elevated levels of bacteria. 'The likely cause is water quality deterioration due to heavy rainfall,' a press release from Fingal County Council said. The Blue Flag at both beaches will be removed until the water quality improves through testing, in accordance with An Taisce's Blue Flag programme. Claremont Beach and Front Strand Beach will remain open, but beach users are asked to respect the do not swim notice as it has been put in place to ensure the health of bathers is not compromised. Members of the public can check for water quality at any of the monitored bathing waters in Ireland in advance by accessing the EPA website at or by checking the notice board at the entrance to each beach.
