How Can we Help? – Policy Makers & Regulators

Global warming induced climate change hazards can impact assets, developments and operations through both chronic and acute effects:

• Increases in rainfall intensity and storm duration that increase river and pluvial flood risks.
• Increases in storm intensity that increase landslide and slope stability risks at mine waste & tailings facilities.
• Changes in rainfall patterns that reduce groundwater recharge, resource potential and baseflow to surface water groundwater ecosystems.

Contaminated land risk and liabilities can arise from a range of current and legacy land use and activities:

• Fuel storage and handling for heating systems, vehicles, plant and machinery.
• Organic solvent use in manufacturing and ancillary processes (degreasing, surface coating applications and painting).
• Metal solutions in surface treatment, electroplating and wood preservation operations.
• Import of waste materials for fill to create level development platforms that may contain a wide range of hazardous materials, including asbestos.

Development projects have the potential to negatively impact the groundwater resources of an area:

• Changes in large land surface areas can alter local hydrogeological systems that impact groundwater dependent ecosystems such as wetlands and tufa springs.
• Redevelopment of brownfield sites incorporating sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) can mobilise pre-existing ground contamination.
• Landfill developments require detailed consideration and assessment of potential groundwater impacts during the operation and closure aftercare of the waste facility.

ERS has advised the EPA in relation to Local Authority RMCEI enforcement planning and has developed internal environmental risk guidance on a wide range of industrial sectors and emerging risks for insurance underwriters:

• Renewable energy developments
• Large infrastructure developments (airports, ports, tunnels, roads, hospitals)
• Petroleum and chemical manufacturing
• Mining and waste tailings management facilities
• Contaminated land and brownfield developments
• Organic solvent use & dry cleaning
• Underground storage tanks and petrol filling stations
• Metal recycling and radioactivity
• Agriculture

Shane Herlihy has developed and led training courses for EPA inspectors and licence operators on environmental liability, closure planning and financial provision (ELRA, CRAMP & FP).