The Environmental Research Centre (ERC) was established under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 to allow for a more structured approach to environmental research and to provide stronger environmental support to the plan. Its overall purpose is to help ensure that development is environmentally sustainable. The aims of the ERC may be listed as follows:
The ERC is part of the Science, Technology, Research & Innovation for the Environment (STRIVE) programme. It is distinguished from the rest of the STRIVE programme (a) in that its research, including technological development and innovation, is implemented mainly within EPA facilities in co-operation with third level colleges and other research bodies, and (b) in its emphasis on developing information and related systems – as a key environmental component of the knowledge economy.
Overall, the ERC may be regarded as a service provider for the EPA channelling the knowledge and experience of the research sector to provide tools and systems for enhanced environmental protection. The activities of the ERC may be considered under two main themes:
The Government’s Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (2006) states: An environmental research centre is being developed as a centre of excellence within the EPA in close co-operation with the HEIs to build capacity in environmental data handling , modelling, assessment and guidance. This centre has the potential to become a key environmental component of the knowledge economy and will be the cornerstone of future environmental research.
The ERC will continue to develop its work in the areas of data management and dissemination and the development of systems based on modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure. The ERC will play an increasingly important role on environmental knowledge, including communicating with policymakers and supporting the environmental aspects of national planning across a wide range of activities.
Environmental protection can benefit greatly from advances in technologies and techniques provided the potential of these is fully recognised and harnessed. These can assist in monitoring the environment on a wide scale and in a synoptic manner not possible with traditional methods. They can also be used to predict the environmental impacts of future socio-economic scenarios. The complex, transboundary and interrelated nature of environmental issues in the present era necessitate the use of the most advanced approaches for proper assessment, so that effective guidance can be provided to policy development and implementation.
In this context, the methods include earth observation, various sensor technologies, spatial analysis and modelling and other techniques for assessment, management and prediction. Support will be provided to key functions such as the enforcement of environmental legislation and strategic environmental assessment (SEA). The EPA will continue to develop and deepen its co-operation with the Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and others in the development and operation of the ERC.
Access the web-based interface to the Environmental Research Centre's Environmental Research Data Archive
