Public Consultation: Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Health Sector

Simon Harris TD, Minister for Health, invites submissions from the public on the important issue of climate change adaptation for the health sector.

Climate change is a globally pervasive phenomenon that represents a significant threat to human health. Without effective mitigation and adaptation action, climate change will have profound implications for the health and wellbeing of Ireland’s population, for the smooth delivery of our health and social care services, and for critical infrastructure. Even as we move towards being a low-carbon and environmentally sustainable country by 2050, climate change will continue apace due to the impact of past and ongoing emissions.

Effective adaptation action will be imperative to protect the health and wellbeing of Irish people. To this end, a five-year plan for climate change adaptation for Ireland’s health sector is currently under development.

The objective of this public consultation is to offer all interested parties an opportunity to contribute their views. Your views will be welcome, will be considered carefully, and are an essential element in ensuring a robust and thorough finalised Plan.

To make a submission as part of this public consultation please email your submissions to CCAP@health.gov.ie by the deadline of 25th August 2019.

Alternatively, post your submissions to:

As part of the work to date on developing a plan, six main climate scenarios with the most profound health implications have been identified. These scenarios are outlined in detail in the PDF document herewith.

Two of the scenarios relate to longer term effects over time – UV radiation from sun exposure, and air pollution – and four scenarios concern acute weather events – windstorms; extreme heat and heatwaves; high precipitation and flooding; and extreme cold snaps. In particular we would welcome your views on the following:

• do the six climate scenarios identified represent the highest priority concerns and risks for the health sector?
• are there climate change-related risks or vulnerabilities that do not feature and should be included, and why
• do you have additional suggestions for concrete and cost-effective adaptation actions for the health sector?

Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in your submission. All submissions will be subject to Freedom of Information and to Data Protection legislation. Submissions may be made available on the Department’s website.