University College Cork projects to receive a share of €2.8m Met Éireann funding

Projects from University College Cork are among those to receive a portion of €2.8m in funding towards research projects aimed at further developing climate services and new flood forecasting models.

The funds are being made via the Met Éireann Research Call 2024, to innovative projects that are targeted at addressing climate change, extreme weather events and environmental sustainability.

Professor John Cryan, vice-president for research and innovation at UCC said: “We are immensely proud of our researchers at UCC who will lead half of the research projects announced by Met Éireann, and we are grateful to Met Éireann for their continued support in funding research that is critical to finding innovative solutions to better prepare and protect people in the event of extreme weather and climate related events.

“These awards will further strengthen UCC’s global leadership in sustainability research and deliver significant positive societal impact while also addressing key environmental challenges.”

Among the projects being awarded funding from UCC is BRACE (Building Resilience and Adaptation Capacity for future extreme Events), with Dr Paraic Ryan being the project leader. 

The project aims to address gaps in knowledge about uncertainties and vulnerabilities, translating complex climate data into applications that are practical for infrastructure planning and policymaking.

Variables

Another project from UCC that is being allocated funding is CLIMB (CLImate services for Multi-sector Benefits), with Dr Paul Holloway as the project lead. 

Among the aims of this project is to develop a standardised method to harmonise climate and non-climate (exposure and vulnerability) data across multiple future scenarios and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), using a machine learning framework to estimate sector relevant variables.

The project also will tackle the challenge of inclusive communication by designing an accessible virtual reality and narrative based communication strategy informed by stakeholder workshops and assessing its impact across diverse groups such as youth, the public and decision makers.

Meanwhile, another UCC project that is to receive funding is ClimEnergise: Climate-Informed Energy Systems Planning to Support Ireland’s Net Zero Ambitions, with Dr Vahid Aryanpur as the project leader.

The project will address the growing vulnerability of Ireland’s energy sector to climate variability, especially in regards to electrification and reliance on weather-dependent renewables.

By integrating detailed meteorological data with advanced energy systems modelling, ClimEnergise will translate weather fluctuations and extreme events into strategies that enhance energy security, affordability and resilience.