EPA - Ireland's Environment 2016

Chapter 3: Climate Change

Climate Change Impacts and

Adaptation

The impacts of climate change are evident on all

continents and in all oceans.

Observed climate change impacts are most evident in the

global temperature record, sea-level rise, loss of glaciers

and ice-sheets and changes in the nature and intensity

of precipitation events. These have impacted on human

health, water resources and management systems,

ecosystems, food production and rates and levels of

coastal flooding. Global projections indicate that oceans

will continue to warm, sea-level rise will continue during

this century and sea-ice and glacier volumes will further

decrease. Studies have shown that the intensity and

frequency of extreme events are increasing and will further

increase as a result of climate change (IPCC, 2013a). The

character and severity of the impacts of climate extremes

depend not only on the extremes themselves but also on

exposure and vulnerability to these extremes.

The effects of climate change are projected to further

impact on food production systems, water resources,

coastal infrastructure, critical services and urban centres,

resulting in increased displacement of people, societal

stress and loss of land and other assets. Ireland’s climate

is changing in line with regional and global trends.

Further climate change is projected to have diverse and

wide-ranging impacts on the environment, society and

economic sectors (see Box). Adaptation actions will be

required to reduce adverse impacts and increase resilience

to these and other impacts of climate change.

Sectoral Impacts of Climate Change

for Ireland

Agriculture:

the main impacts are expected to

result from changes in air and soil temperatures,

changes in rainfall patterns and extreme events.

Marine environment:

changes in ocean

temperature and acidity are projected to continue,

resulting in changes to marine ecosystems and

species, which will have implications for fisheries.

Biodiversity:

increasing temperatures will impact

upon the geographical range and phenology

(the timing of life cycle events) of native

species. Projected shifts in climate, temperature

and precipitation may result in the increased

occurrence of invasive species and competitive

pressures on Ireland’s native species.

Coastal zones:

sea-level rise is projected to

increase coastal erosion and flooding, including

effects on major coastal cities.

Critical infrastructure:

water, energy,

communications, transport and emergency services

are at risk from a range of projected changes,

including sea-level rise, increasing temperatures,

changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather

events.

Water management:

the projected changes are

expected to impact on water management and

will exacerbate existing pressures in terms of water

supply, quality and flooding.

Human health and wellbeing:

increasing

temperatures are likely to result in the increased

incidence of heat-related mortality. However, an

overall decrease in temperature-related mortality

is expected because of decreases in levels of cold-

related mortality. Increases in extreme events will

have significant impacts on psychological health

and wellbeing.

(Source: Climate Ireland)

National Policy Development

In December 2009, a carbon tax was introduced at a rate

of €15 per tonne on certain uses of fossil fuels outside the

EU ETS. This has since increased to €20 per tonne and,

since April 2014, applies to all fossil fuels, including coal

and peat. The carbon tax is estimated to reduce emissions

by about 0.3 Mt CO

equivalent per annum. There are

a number of other schemes and incentives to increase

energy efficiency. These are outlined in Chapter 11.