An additional €5 million to expand urban nature-based solutions nationwide has been announced by Christopher O'Sullivan TD, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity.

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) will administer the funding, which backs projects to improve surface water management, increase biodiversity and reduce flooding in built-up areas.

Welcoming the funding, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said: "Working closely with Minister O'Sullivan in my Department, I am pleased to confirm this additional funding of €5 million, which will be used for construction of urban nature-based solutions in the public realm.

"It is a key principle of the Water Action Plan to deliver integrated, multiple policy objectives for water, biodiversity and climate wherever possible.

"This funding will facilitate the upscaling and mainstreaming of nature-based solutions over the next five years. I look forward to monitoring the progress."

Announcing the fund at the third annual nature-based solutions conference at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), Minister O'Sullivan said: "I'm delighted to be announcing this additional funding of €5 million for urban nature-based solutions projects. Nature-based solutions are vital tools in our efforts to restore nature and improve climate resilience. This is particularly the case in urban environments, where they have important roles to play in helping water to soak away during heavy rainfall events, creating valuable habitats for wildlife and improving water quality.

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"The investment I'm announcing today will build on a substantial body of work by the Local Authority Waters Programme and local authorities to pilot these approaches over the past two years. It's heartening to see such strong interest from local authorities, who are at the coalface of both environmental challenges and the implementation of solutions. They are also best placed to bring together experts from a range of disciplines and sectors, and take the holistic approach that's needed to drive nature-based solutions forward. This is a key takeaway from today's conference that I am very pleased to be able to support."

Anthony Coleman, Director of Services at the Local Authority Waters Programme, said: "Nature-based solutions can play an important role in protecting water quality, biodiversity and assisting in efforts to address climate change. The benefits to the public are immense and important and can mitigate against flooding, pollution and coastal erosion. There are benefits to public wellbeing too, including place making and providing more green spaces.

"To be really effective, nature-based solutions must grow and become more mainstream. How we plan, design and roll them out is critical and there must be a clear understanding of what they can deliver and how best they can be incorporated into projects of different scales."

The third annual nature-based solutions conference, titled To Protect and Restore Water Quality, is being held at DkIT today and tomorrow. Organised by LAWPRO, it focuses on urban, rural, riverine and coastal settings, showcasing practical case studies, examining policy drivers and identifying opportunities for implementation.

The event brings together Irish and international experts from sectors including farming, transport and infrastructure to share experience and plan for the wider rollout of nature-based solutions as they become more mainstream in Ireland.

Nature-based solutions can help address multiple societal challenges — including water quality and quantity — while supporting biodiversity. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that around one third of the climate mitigation needed to meet the Paris Agreement goals can be delivered by nature-based solutions.

LAWPRO works on behalf of Ireland's 31 local authorities to protect and restore water quality in rivers, lakes, estuaries, groundwater and coastal waters through catchment science and community engagement. Established to meet the EU Water Framework Directive and funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, LAWPRO coordinates local authorities and other public bodies in implementing the River Basin Management Plan.

Details of 19 demonstrator nature-based solutions projects can be found on the Local Authority Waters Programme website.