Climate change poses a critical challenge for Laois with the potential to result in a wide range of impacts across the county.
These include damaging infrastructure such as roads and bridges; detrimental effects on biodiversity; and disruption of water supply.
The findings come from a report by KPMG, commissioned for Laois County Council.
The report says the potential impacts and risks identified have substantial implications for Laois County Council.
There were four main area of concern identified:
- Flooding,
- Heatwaves and Droughts,
- Severe Windstorms,
- Cold Spells and Heavy Snowfall.
Projections indicate that level of risk associated with flooding, heatwaves and drought will all increase, while a decrease is expected in the frequency of cold spells and heavy snowfalls.
Flooding
River and rainfall flooding events have occurred on an almost annual basis in recent years with events occurring in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
These events resulted in the displacement of residential properties, closure of businesses, disruption of transport networks, raw sewerage overflow, damage of farmland, and damage to bridges.
The report projects that this problem will increase over the coming years.
There are worrying financial implications from increased flooding; the costs associated with the 2018 flooding in Mountmellick alone amounted to €1.5 million.
Heatwaves and Droughts
Laois experienced both a heatwave and drought in 2018, with heatwaves also recorded in 2021 and 2022.
These events resulted in damage to road surfaces, disruption of public transport networks, the imposition of restrictions on water supply and increased demand placed on recreational areas.
Projected increases in the frequency of heatwaves and drought
conditions indicate that these events will become more frequent.
As the population ages, there will also be an increase in the number of vulnerable people exposed to heat-related risks.
Severe Windstorms
Severe windstorms are currently experienced on a frequent basis in Laois and result in wide-ranging impacts, including disruption to energy supply and transport networks.
The report projects that the frequency of this problem will remain consistent over the coming years.
Cold Spells and Heavy Snowfall
Recent experiences of cold spells and heavy snowfall events demonstrated the wide range of impacts for County Laois, including road closures, disruption to public transport, power outages, and disruption to water supply.
Projected increases in average temperature and decreases in the frequency of snowfall indicate a decrease in the frequency of cold
spells, heavy snowfall, and their associated impacts.
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