Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change

Climate change adaptation is the way we plan for negative effects of climate change and take action to prevent or minimise the damage it causes.

Our National Adaptation Framework published in 2018 provides a national strategy to reduce the vulnerability of the country to the negative effects of climate change and to avail of positive impacts. It was developed under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.

Building on the National Adaptation Framework , the Climate Action Plan sets out climate adaptation measures to ensure that the State is ready to protect people from the negative effects of climate change in Ireland and steps to limit any damage caused.

The government has published sectoral adaptation plans to identify the most significant risks different sectors. The 12 sectors are Agriculture, Biodiversity, Forestry, Built and Archaeological Heritage, Communications, Electricity and Gas, Health, Flood Risk Management, Seafood, Transport, Water Quality and services infrastructure.

The published plans are available Sectoral Planning Guidelines for Climate Change Adaptation​ (link to sectoral adaptation plans)

The Adaptation plans include actions that:

• mainstream adaptation into key sectoral plans and policies
• identify and understand the key vulnerabilities, risks, and opportunities facing specific sectors, as well as major risks cross cutting different sectors
• ensure climate-proofing of strategic emergency planning
• identify and collect information on the costs and benefits of adaptation within specific sectors
• build capacity within sectors to cope with climate change
• identify and address key research gaps within their sectors
• improve co-ordination with the local government sector
• develop appropriate monitoring and verification systems within sectors

Further and more detailed information on climate change adaptation and on a range of adaptation options for Ireland is available on Climate Ireland.

Local Authorities Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

For more information on EU Adaptation Strategy please see the European Commission website.