Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
76. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work the Government is undertaking to prepare for a potential collapse in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation; what representations the Government has made regarding the EU’s preparations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8708/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraClimate breakdown represents an existential threat for all of humanity, and addressing it has been a central focus of this Government. We must continue to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. Ireland is already experiencing increased precipitation, floods and droughts, as well as the longer term risk of the potential collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). We need to prepare for unavoidable impacts to ensure our society, economy and infrastructure are climate resilient, and take measures to prevent those that we can.
The new draft National Adaptation Framework (NAF), Ireland’s policy framework to address the risks presented by climate impacts, has a medium degree of confidence that the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation will not collapse abruptly before 2100. We must work to prevent this risk ever being realised. In terms of the impacts we are now experiencing and further ones that are coming, the NAF outlines a whole-of-Government-and-society approach to climate adaptation in Ireland through ongoing engagement with key sectors, Local Authorities and the research community. Public consultation on the new NAF was completed on 19 February, 2024 and I expect to submit the new NAF to Government for approval shortly.
The EU is currently finalising an EU Climate Risk assessment which is a fast-tracked and expert-driven assessment primarily based on a review and synthesis of existing data and knowledge from various sources. The assessment focuses specifically on complex climate risks such as cross-border, cascading and compound risks. The executive summary is expected to be published around mid-March, with the full report published by April.
Work has also commenced on a National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA), which will set out the priority impacts of climate change for Ireland. The NCCRA, which is being led by the Environmental Protection Agency, is due to be delivered by the end of Q1 2025.
