Adapting to Climate Breakdown

Climate change adaptation refers to how we plan for the negative effects of climate change, and take suitable action to prevent or minimise the damage it can cause. Examples of adaptation actions include adjusting building regulations to take account of future climate conditions, building and reinforcing flood defences, or prioritising tree species that are less vulnerable to storms, temperature extremes, and fires. To achieve this level of adaptation, key sectors of government and society, including local and regional bodies, must work together in order to ensure climate adaptation considerations are an integral part of local, regional, and national policy.

The 2018 IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C states that the impacts of human-induced global warming of 1°C are already being felt in the intensity and frequency of some climate and weather extremes. Internationally, climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth are projected to increase with global warming of 1.5°C, and will increase further if warming reaches 2°C. The rate at which the climate is changing is increasing, as highlighted in the high level synthesis report prepared for the UN Climate Summit in New York in September 2019.

Observations show that Ireland’s climate is changing, at a scale and rate consistent with regional and global trends. The most immediate risks to Ireland are mainly those associated with changes in extremes such as floods, precipitation and storms. It is expected that climate change will increasingly impact on Ireland over the coming decades. Climate change could result in:

• Sea level rise
• More intense storms and rainfall events
• Increased likelihood and magnitude of river and coastal flooding
• Water shortages in summer
• Increased risk of new pests and diseases
• Adverse impacts on water quality
• Changes in distribution and phenology (the timing of lifecycle events) of plant and animal species on land and in the oceans

For more information about Ireland’s changing climate see Climate Ireland, Ireland’s climate information platform, which was established with funding from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), to provide information and training and to develop capacity across sectors in adapting to climate change.

Ireland's first statutory National Adaptation Framework (NAF) was published by Minister Denis Naughten on 19 January 2018. The NAF was developed under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. The NAF provides a framework to ensure local authorities, regions, and key sectors can assess the key risks and vulnerabilities of climate change, implement actions to build resilience to climate change, and ensure climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into all local, regional, and national policy. The NAF also aims to improve the enabling environment for adaptation through ongoing engagement with civil society, the private sector and the research community. It also builds on the work already carried out under the National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (NCCAF). The NAF will be reviewed at least once every five years.

Complementing national adaptation frameworks or strategies, the European Commission adopted an EU adaptation strategy in April 2013. The strategy supports action by promoting greater coordination and information-sharing between Member States, and by ensuring that adaptation considerations are addressed in all relevant EU policies.

Under the National Adaptation Framework and the Climate Action Plan, seven government departments with responsibility for priority sectors were required to prepare sectoral adaptation plans, in line with the requirements of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. These plans were developed during 2018 and 2019, and approved by government in October 2019:

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 the Sectoral Planning Guidelines for Climate Change Adaptation​, published by DECC.

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

The Plans are now in the implementation phase. The National Adaptation Steering Committee was set up to provide coherence in adaptation planning. Its structure was revised under the National Adaptation Framework. Chaired by DECC and with representatives from all the departments leading on the development of adaptation plans, this Committee played a critical role in assisting departments to engage with each other while developing their plans. This Committee now maintains oversight of implementation of actions by the relevant sectors, and facilitates interaction between sectors.

Electricity and Gas Networks Sector Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Communications Sector Climate Change Adaptation Plan