Sectoral Adaptation Planning

The 2024 National Adaptation Framework (NAF) requires the development of Sectoral Adaptation Plans (SAPs) for 13 key sectors. The 13 sectors are grouped according to the themes of Natural Environment, Built Environment and Infrastructure, Human, and Economy.

The SAPs are a key deliverable of the NAF and set out actions across the13 sectors to ensure that Ireland’s society, ecosystems, infrastructure, economy, and competitiveness are resilient to the impacts of climate change.

The sectors are:

Sectoral Planning Guidelines for Climate Change Adaptation, published by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.

The National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA), published by the EPA in June 2025, identifies the priority climate risks for Ireland to help prioritise action and direct resources. The NCCRA was a key resource in developing the plans.

Met Éireann produced Ireland’s first set of standardised climate scenarios for Ireland under the TRANSLATE project. These scenarios were used as a common basis for Ireland’s future climate under which sectoral adaptation plans were developed.

The completed plans include actions that:

• mainstream adaptation into key sectoral plans and policies
• identify and understand the key vulnerabilities, risks, and potential opportunities facing specific sectors, as well as major risks cross-cutting different sectors
• ensure climate-proofing of strategic emergency planning
• identify and collect information on the costs and benefits of adaptation within specific sectors
• build capacity within sectors to withstand the impacts of climate change
• identify and address key research gaps within their sectors
• improve coordination with the local government sector
• include a consideration of Just Resilience, the use of Nature-based solutions, and avoiding maladaptation as a key principle
• ensure cooperation on cross-cutting issues including Coastal, Built Environment, Urban Environment, Health Impacts, and Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as cooperation on cascading risks across sectors
• develop appropriate monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning systems within sectors
• plan for the coordination of the implementation phase of the SAPs with input from key stakeholders