The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (the Act) was signed into law on 10 December 2015. The Act comprises of a framework designed to achieve a low carbon, climate resilient, and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. The Act provides for two statutory plans which will guide policy in relation to greenhouse gas emission reduction and climate change adaption.

The plans are:

The newly named Department of Climate Change, Communities and National Resources is currently inviting interested stakeholders and the general public to submit views on the development of the NAF. The purpose of the NAF is to develop a national approach to the assessment, prioritisation and management of climate change risk for Ireland, with a view to guiding the implementation of adaptation at sectoral and local level. The NAF is to build on the work already carried out under the existing National Climate Change Adaptation Framework 2012 and ensure that climate adaptation in Ireland is brought forward in line with EU and international best practice.

As outlined in the NAF's Public Consultation Paper, the NAF is to be developed in a flexible manner to allow for future adaptive measures that are cost-effective and that can be mainstreamed into existing policies and governance structures.

Food producers, utilities, developers and other businesses critically exposed to the effects of climate change should ensure that their concerns are considered in its preparation.  

The deadline for submissions is 20 May 2016. More information can be found at this website. The completed draft is to be submitted to Government for approval no later than 17 December 2017.

For further information in relation to this topic, please contact Alison Fanagan.

Date Published: 12th May 2016