Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The statutory 2018 national adaptation framework, NAF, sets out Ireland's climate adaptation policy. Following my Department's review of the framework I approved the development of a new NAF, and the draft was completed in December 2023. It incorporates key sectoral and stakeholder input, including from the Climate Change Advisory Council. A statutory public consultation was undertaken earlier this year. The NAF will be submitted to Government for approval shortly, with publication anticipated in the second quarter of 2024. The new NAF integrates national and international policy developments since 2018, and includes work progressed at local authority level, sectoral adaptation plans and climate research. It outlines a whole-of-government and society approach to climate adaptation in Ireland. By taking a sectoral approach through relevant Departments, it aims to improve the enabling environment for mainstreaming adaptation action through key sectors and local government, along with civil society, the private sector and the research community. According to the Climate Change Advisory Council's 2023 climate change adaptation scorecard report, the agriculture, forestry and seafood sector was rated as moderate overall, with good progress observed in mainstreaming adaptation into new policies, planning and financing frameworks. The flood risk management sector was rated as good overall, with the OPW found to have strong internal co-ordination structures in place to co-ordinate the planning, implementation and monitoring of its SAP. Following Government approval of the NAF, key sectors including flood risk management and agriculture will develop new SAPs to address the negative impacts of climate change and to benefit from potential positive impacts.

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