The National Adaptation Framework (NAF) sets out the national strategy to reduce the vulnerability of the country to the negative effects of climate change and to avail of positive impacts.
The NAF builds on the work already carried out under the National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (NCCAF, 2012). The NAF outlines a whole of government and society approach to climate adaptation in Ireland. Under the NAF a number of Government Departments will be required to prepare sectoral adaptation plans in relation to a priority area that they are responsible for. Work on these plans will begin in 2018. Local authorities are required to prepare local adaptation strategies The NAF will be reviewed at least once every five years. The NAF also aims to improve the enabling environment for adaptation through ongoing engagement with civil society, the private sector and the research community.
A summary of each chapter of the NAF is provided below;
Chapter 1 provides a summary of observed and projected global climate change and the international and European policy drivers for adaptation to climate change. It also contains a summary of observed and projected climate change impacts in Ireland.
Chapter 2 sets out the progress to date on climate change adaptation planning in Ireland, including work undertaken at sectoral and local government level and initiatives involving civil society and the research community.
Chapter 3 provides a number of guiding principles for adaptation at national level It includes steps for creating an enabling environment for adaptation planning. It sets out the sectors for which adaptation plans under the NAF are to be prepard, along with proposals for local authority or regional level adaptation strategies.
Chapter 4 outlines how the Framework will be implemented with revised Governance and reporting arrangements as well as actions and supporting objectives that are to be progressed.