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Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2019

Wednesday, 17 April 2019

Questions (206)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

206. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the initiatives in place to reduce the vulnerability and exposure of Ireland to expected climate change problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17861/19]

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Written answers

Ireland’s first statutory National Adaptation Framework (NAF), published in January 2018, represents our national policy response to the challenges posed by the impacts of climate change. The Framework sets out the context to ensure Local Authorities, regions and sectors can assess the key risks and vulnerabilities of climate change, implement climate resilience actions, and ensure climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into all local, regional and national policy making. Under the Framework, seven Government Departments with responsibility for twelve priority sectors are required to prepare sectorial adaptation plans in line with the requirements of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. The deadline for the submission of sectorial adaptation plans to Government for approval is 30 September 2019.

Local understanding is also crucial to getting adaptation right. Under the National Adaptation Framework, each Local Authority is required to develop a local adaptation strategy. Local Authorities have been set a deadline for the completion of local strategies by 30 September 2019. In January 2018, my Department entered into a funding commitment of €10m over 5 years to establish four Climate Action Regional Offices(CAROs). A key priority for the CAROs in 2019 will be to support the Local Authorities within their region to develop their local adaptation strategies and ensure they align with national adaptation policy and sectorial priorities.

Adaptation planning is an iterative process, with the National Adaptation Framework to be reviewed at least once every five years in line with the 2015 Climate Act. This will ensure that we adopt a dynamic approach to adaptation planning which is informed by the latest scientific evidence thus enabling Departments, Agencies and Local Authorities to modify or escalate adaptation actions as appropriate as climate projections are updated.

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