Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017
503. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the sectoral adaptation plans adopted in accordance with the national climate change adaptation framework since the framework was published in 2012; and the locations in which the sectoral plans can be accessed. [41768/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe non-statutory 2012 National Climate Change Adaptation Framework, NCCAF. was the first step in developing a national policy in Ireland to address the anticipated impacts of climate change through a structured programme of action on adaptation.
Under the 2012 Framework, the following four sectoral plans have been developed and published to date:
|
2012 NCCAF Sector |
Plan/Draft Plan |
|
Flood Defence |
“Flood Risk Management Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan” available at http://www.opw.ie/en/climatechange/ |
|
Agriculture and Forestry |
“Adaptation Planning - Developing Resilience to Climate Change in the Irish Agriculture and Forest Sector” available at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/ruralenvironment/climatechange/adaptation/ |
|
Transport |
“Adaptation Planning - Developing Resilience to Climate Change in the Irish Transport Sector” available at http://www.dttas.ie/public-transport/english/climate-change |
|
Energy |
Draft “Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Electricity and Gas Networks Sector”. The draft is available at http://dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/energy/consultations/Pages/National-Adaptation-Plan-for-Energy-Networks.aspx |
The draft, “Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Electricity and Gas Networks Sector”, is currently the subject of a public consultation with a closing date of 16 October 2017. Preparatory work on preparing sectoral adaptation plans is also underway for other sectors, including the Cultural, Heritage and Biodiversity sectors.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 now provides a statutory basis for adaptation planning. Under Section 5 of the Act, I am required to submit a statutory National Adaptation Framework for approval to Government no later than 10 December 2017. A draft National Adaptation Framework was published for statutory public consultation on 15 September 2017 and will close on 27 October 2017. This public consultation will help inform its further development before a final Framework is submitted to Government in December. Following approval of the NAF by Government, new statutory sectoral plans will be prepared to further the process of transitioning to a climate resilient future. The work undertaken by sectors to date under the 2012 NCCAF has been a hugely important contribution to enabling this transition process.
