Futureproofing Waterford’s housing and businesses to weather the storm ahead
Waterford city is gearing up to tackle climate change with an innovative programme of investment in public housing and incentives for business.
Waterford City and County Council’s climate action co-ordinator, Gráinne Kennedy, said the upgrade of housing is a “big challenge” to ensure it is fair and good value for money.
Some of the old housing stock is “inefficient”, while other housing requires less refurbishment to bring it up to modern energy standards.
Waterford’s council is keen to upgrade as many houses as possible.
“When you consider a heat pump could cost €16,000 and we get – and we are grateful to get it – about €35,000 to do up a full house, our housing department needs to be clever with the funding,” Ms Kennedy said.
“Change has its challenges. There is sometimes nervousness from people that you are not using an open fire anymore. But we have to be really concerned that we get best value for money for the tenant long-term, and that comes from making the building as air-tight as possible.”
Adapting to climate change involves many aspects of design. Of major significance is the flow of water over paved and tarmacked spaces. Regular heavy volumes of rain are something councils must be prepared for as Ireland’s weather patterns change.
“We need to be able to slow down the flow of water and allow it to soak in after a heavy rain,” Ms Kennedy said.
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Waterford City and County Council’s biodiversity officer, Marina Mulligan, works with housing to examine how green initiatives can provide space for nature, integrating nature into new projects and figuring out areas that need works like rain gardens and swales.
Waterford’s local authority aims to improve the energy efficiency of at least 150 houses a year, according to Ms Kennedy.
“The whole house would be improved,” she said. “And the impact that makes on people’s health and on their well-being... Just being able to know they can afford their bills.”
Often, businesses don’t have the money, time or expertise to handle environmental issues
Heavy rains during Storm Éowyn last year impacted the whole city. It comes as a relief to many householders to know their properties are being future-proofed against extreme weather events.
A third aspect of Waterford’s climate change mission is assisting businesses in green procurement.
“If you look at countries like Norway, where green procurement is on all contracts, the impact of their construction is much less than what it would be here,” Ms Kennedy said. “We’re very glad with the rates scheme that we can help in that respect.”
Often, businesses don’t have the money, time or expertise to handle environmental issues, and rely on the council to guide them.
Waterford’s Dooley’s Hotel is a good example – they have been working with staff and a local group of businesses to see where they can make improvements in their processes.
“The council has a target of reducing its emissions by 51pc in the next few years, and our goal is to help businesses on that journey too,” Ms Kennedy added.