Adapting to climate change: Insights on being better prepared for Ireland’s future climate

Climate change is already impacting Ireland, through rising temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events, and increasing risks such as coastal erosion and flooding. Volume 3 of the Irish Climate Change Assessment Report (ICCA), launched in 2024, synthesises extensive research on past and projected climate-change impacts and provides a roadmap for being prepared for Ireland’s future climate. While climate action nationally has been focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation is an equally pressing concern as climate risks escalate. Drawing on the ICCA, this paper examines how adaptation and resilience are framed in Irish climate policy, and highlights key challenges in implementation. The findings emphasise the need for a systematic, well-resourced, and socially inclusive approach to adaptation. National evaluations indicate slow progress in adaptation, with significant gaps in cross-sectoral coordination, financial investment and community engagement. The authors highlight key opportunities to enhance adaptation efforts, including: setting clear goals and targets; recognising cascading and transboundary risks; integrating people-centred approaches; decision-making under uncertainty; widening the solution space beyond technical interventions; better monitoring and evaluation of adaptation outcomes; and pursuing climate-resilient development. Without substantial improvements in adaptation planning, Ireland risks unplanned, crisis-driven transformations in response to escalating climate shocks. Strengthening governance, deepening public engagement, and embedding adaptation into all aspects of policy and planning will be critical to achieving a climate-resilient Ireland.