COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, October 13, 2025
QUESTION NO. 1
QUESTION: Councillor Y. Collins
To ask for details of the Council's local climate adaptation strategies, how it is investing in green infrastructure, and details of the supports available for community led resilience initiatives
REPLY:
Adaptation measures in the current Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 build on work achieved in the previous CCAP 2019-2024 to safeguard the county from the impacts of climate change.
Practical actions such as flood alleviation schemes on the River Poddle, the Whitechurch Stream, and the River Camac are being progressed, with both the River Poddle and Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation schemes currently at construction stage. These schemes will reduce the impacts of fluvial flooding, taking into account projected climate changes.
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) are also being implemented to better manage rainfall and surface water and to build resilience for the additional pressures of climate change. SuDS are a way of managing rainfall that mimics the drainage processes found in nature to address the issues with conventional drainage, such as constrained capacity. The approach to SuDS compliments a further adaptation strategy of gully and stormwater network maintenance works, to manage capacity in the network for surface water runoff.
To support the SuDS approach, SDCC published a ‘Sustainable Drainage Explanatory Design and Evaluation Guide’ in 2022, providing developers with practical direction on incorporating SuDS into new projects. The guidance, now mandatory for all new developments, aligns with the county’s Green Infrastructure (GI) strategy. Its goal is to create multifunctional spaces that not only regulate water quantity and quality but also enhance biodiversity and improve local amenities.
“A Householders Guide to SuDS” was also developed for South Dublin Residents, as an ‘easy to use’ practical guidance for smaller scale domestic SuDS application.
Information on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) may be found here, including the helpful guides, mentioned above: https://sdcc.ie/en/services/environment/environmental-health/natural-water/sustainable-drainage-systems/sustainable-drainage-systems-suds.html
Oher adaptation strategies include the promotion of alternative systems, such as brine, for the treatment of roads during cold weather. This solution provides a faster acting treatment and uses less salt, while increasing the residual salt on the road. It adheres better to road surfaces, further reducing the amount of salt wasted through ‘bounce off’, and results in environmental benefits with less salt being spread.
To further strengthen our adaptation strategies, there is an action to identify any areas that might be vulnerable to the impacts of increased heat effects due to climate change.
The importance of green infrastructure in relation to climate adaptation is recognised. SDCC have a comprehensive Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy which is implemented daily across the County, and which is also integrated into the development management processes. The strategy focusses on the protection and enhancement of Green Infrastructure corridors and utilises measures such as the meadow management programme, mini woodlands, hedgerow management, invasive species removal and tree planting. It also includes the protection of riparian corridors and the development of wetlands. These initiatives receive a high level of community support and cooperation.
The GI Strategy is also implemented internally every day in how Public Realm carries out management and maintenance operations in Parks and Open Spaces. The focus is on protecting and enhancing existing habitats, creating new habitats and linking habitats to develop corridors for nature. This approach is also taken in the development of all new parks and the upgrading of existing parks.
The recent Parks and Open Space Strategy focuses on creating multi-functional green spaces that support biodiversity, provide recreational opportunities, and contribute to the County's green infrastructure network.
Green Infrastructure is a key consideration in SDCC's planning policies. Green Infrastructure must be considered as part of every planning application where Applicants must evaluate their site in terms of the wider Green Infrastructure of the County and include that in their applications. SDCC were also the first local authority in Ireland to implement a Green Space Factor in all developments. This has had a very positive impact on the quality of developments being approved across the county. SDCC are also leading the way in the implementation of Nature Based Solutions, such as SUDs. As well as managing stormwater to reduce floods, SUDs are used to improve biodiversity and create Green Infrastructure Corridors.
Through these initiatives, SDCC is ensuring investment in green infrastructure. SDCC is implementing the GI Strategy directly through its own developments and management practices and it is also ensuring GI is developed across the County with every new Planning/Development site.
For community led climate resilience initiatives, funding may be sought by eligible groups from the Community Climate Action Programme.
Actions across climate mitigation and climate resilience are supported by the fund. For climate resilience, examples may include installing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), ranging from smaller interventions like water butts and rainwater planters up to larger projects such as mini wetlands. Other examples may include supporting the County’s Green Infrastructure Strategy by creating more green community areas that absorb carbon, are thriving with biodiversity, and that help us adapt to the impacts of climate change, or by planting native trees and hedgerows. Groups are also encouraged to explore innovative climate resilience projects not listed above that meet the objectives of the Programme.
With funding from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, a new call for applications will open 28 October 2025, with a total fund of €1.073 million available in South Dublin.
Interested groups and organisations should contact climatechange@sdublincoco.ie to discuss further.
More information on the Community Climate Action Programme is available at https://www.sdcc.ie/en/climate-action/community-climate-action-programme/