Sectoral Adaptation Planning

The Climate Action Plan sets out actions across every sector of society which will ensure we meet our 2030 climate commitments, putting us on a trajectory to be net zero emissions by 2050.

Included in the Plan are climate adaptation measures to ensure that the State is ready to protect people from the negative effects of climate change in Ireland.

These measures build upon the National Adaptation Framework (2018, NAF) under which seven government departments prepared Sectoral Adaptation Plans covering 12 priority sectors. These approved plans from 2019 are available below:

Please note that revised and/or new Sectoral Adaptation Plans (SAPs) are currently being developed under Ireland’s second statutory National Adaptation Framework (NAF, 2024). Ireland’s second statutory NAF was approved by Government on 5 June 2024. The new SAPs have a deadline for completion of end Q3 2025.

• Agriculture, Forestry and Seafood
• Biodiversity
• Built and Archaeological Heritage
• Transport Infrastructure
• Electricity and Gas Networks
• Communications Networks
• Flood Risk Management
• Water Quality and Water Services Infrastructure
• Health

Each Plan identifies the key risks faced across the sector and the approach being taken to address these risks and build climate resilience for the future. They were developed applying a six step adaptation planning process described in Sectoral Planning Guidelines for Climate Change Adaptation, published by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

The 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