Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which his Department continues to evaluate the potential negative impact of meeting carbon reduction targets; the degree to which amelioration measures can be utilised to assist in meeting such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11495/24]
View answerClimate change is expected to have diverse and wide-ranging negative impacts on Ireland’s environment, society, and economic development, including on the built environment, managed and natural ecosystems, water resources, agriculture and food security, human health, and coastal zones.
Climate adaptation is the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects. My Department leads and coordinates national climate adaptation policy, primarily through the development and implementation of the National Adaptation Framework (NAF, 2018). Adaptation measures aim to build the resilience of our economy and society to the impacts of climate change. Adaptation measures also have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deliver mitigation co-benefits (rewetting of peatlands, nature based flood relief measures, sustainable forestry, sustainable planning policies, etc.).
The Climate and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021 requires that the NAF be reviewed at least every five years. Following a 2022 review of the 2018 NAF, I approved the review report which recommended the development of a new NAF. My Department engaged with key adaptation sectors, the EPA and the Climate Change Advisory Council to develop the new NAF which I approved for a statutory consultation in January 2024.
A statutory public consultation on the draft NAF took place between 19 January 2024 and 19 February 2024. Submissions received from the public consultation and from the Climate Change Advisory Council are now being considered ahead of a new NAF being submitted to Government for approval.
