CLIMATE READY DONEGAL ENGAGE | PLAN | ADAPT DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL Climate Adaptation Strategy September 2019 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Grateful acknowledgement is made to the Climate Action Regional Office - Atlantic Seaboard North Region with regard to the development of the Draft Donegal County Council Climate Adaptation Strategy. In addition, Donegal County Council would also like to express gratitude to the following sources for their assistance and contributions to draft strategy: • The Donegal County Council Climate Adaptation Team. • Climate Ireland, Dr Barry Dwyer and the Team at the Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland, Cork. • The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. • The Regional Climate Action Steering Group and the Climate Adaptation Team Leaders from Mayo County Council, Sligo County Council, Galway County Council and Galway City Council. 3 FOREWORD Donegal has a temperate maritime climate with an abundance seasons and warmer temperatures which will benefit the agricultural and of rain and no extreme temperature variations, much like the tourism sectors and improve the local economy. rest of Ireland. It has a vibrant people, culture, heritage and Two simultaneous approaches, mitigation and adaptation, are required to biodiversity located in a stunning landscape of mountains, address climate change. Mitigation is focused on reducing carbon pollution rivers, lakes, cliffs and beaches. Communities and businesses and greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit the extent to which our located throughout the county are supported by an array of climate changes in the future. This approach includes actions such as infrastructure and services including roads, drinking water, improving the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings, switching waste water and energy networks. It is this combination of to more sustainable energy sources and trapping and storing carbon in vegetation and soils. A National Mitigation Plan will set out strategies communities, landscape, heritage, economy and climate that that must be embraced by individuals, businesses and the public sector ensured Donegal was labelled the “Coolest Place on the Planet” alike. Adaptation actions are also required to address the consequences Nicholas Crossan recently by the National Geographic magazine. and challenges of climate change. These actions will allow us prevent or CATHAOIRLEACH minimise the impacts of climate change (e.g. new flood defences) but also Donegal County take advantage of opportunities and benefits that climate change brings Council Over the past century, rainfall patterns, sea level rise, warmer temperatures and more extreme weather events have been observed in the county and (e.g. new low carbon innovation and economy). these changes have been measured and documented. There has been a notable increase in the frequency of extreme weather events in recent This draft Strategy sets out a framework of actions and measures that years that have brought strong winds, low temperatures and high rainfall Donegal County Council proposes to undertake to further embed climate and at other times high temperatures and low rainfall. Each of these adaptation into all local authority areas of responsibility and to assist events creates specific impacts and risks for the county. The occurrence communities in adapting to climate change. This is the first step to ensure of simultaneous and or consecutive extreme weather events has had Donegal and its citizens develop a sustainable future that is resilient to the unprecedented consequences for the county. Evidence shows that the impacts of climate change. increased frequency and intensity of such events can be attributed to a climate change. Donegal’ s communities have seen the significant impacts of wildfires, landslides, floods, damage to infrastructure, disruption to services and Seamus Neely damage to biodiversity and ecosystems. These events present risks CHIEF EXECUTIVE and challenges to people, communities, businesses and Donegal County Donegal County Council in maintaining, repairing and restoring services and infrastructure. Council It is imperative that we put in place actions and measures to enable all of us adapt to prepare better for the projected climate changes. Proactive adaptation to such changes is necessary and critical to ensuring that Donegal’s economy, environment and communities are resilient to climate change into the future. It also provides an opportunity to embrace the positives climate change may bring to the county through longer growing 4 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION. STATUTORY CONTEXT. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES. REGIONAL & COUNTY PROFILES. OBSERVED & PROJECTED CLIMATE CHANGE. THE ADAPTATION STRATEGY PROCESS. STEP 1: PREPARING THE GROUND. STEP 2: ASSESSING THE CURRENT BASELINE. STEP 3: IDENTIFICATION OF CLIMATE RISKS & OPPORTUNITIES. STEP 4: GOALS, OBJECTIVES & ACTIONS. STEP 5: IMPLEMENTATION. MITIGATION. BIBLIOGRAPHY. APPENDIX 5 INTRODUCTION 6 6 Climate change is a critical challenge for Donegal Donegal County Council’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 (the Adaptation Strategy) sets out our strategic priorities, measures and responses for as it is for countries globally. It will result in a range adaptation in County Donegal over the next five years; as required by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. of impacts across a wide number of sectors that are likely to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. While the Adaptation Strategy recognises and builds on adaptation action already underway, it also lays the groundwork for a new, integrated approach to adaptation under the National Adaptation Framework. Taking proactive action to adjust and prepare for The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 also requires climate anticipated changes will reduce losses, improve change principles and objectives to be considered in all our policies and programs. In our environment and provide a host of community doing so, the Strategy will provide an opportunity to not only enhance our adaptive capacity and resiliency but also an opportunity to reduce the long-term costs and benefits. Global momentum is building for impacts associated with climate change. national and local governments to take ambitious The aim of this first strategy is to identify the risks, challenges and opportunities action that builds resilience to climate change that need to be considered and to take coherent coordinated action. The Strategy is based on four main themes: Critical Buildings and Infrastructure, Natural and Cultural within their organisations and functional areas Capital, Water Resource & Flood Risk Management and Community Services and via adaptation and mitigation measures. The Paris provides for many actions that will be developed and implemented over the next five years. Priority is awarded to actions where severe weather has impacted the safety of Agreement expresses an international commitment citizens and critical infrastructure, however assets which are currently or may in the to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience future be susceptible to severe weather impacts are also considered. and reduce vulnerability to climate change. These actions will be driven by Senior Management and Elected Members via existing Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs). Developing a robust approach to adaptation is the first step on this journey. Climate Action Regional Office – Atlantic Seaboard North The newly established Climate Action Regional Office – Atlantic Seaboard North is one of four regional climate change offices that have been set up in response to Action 8 of the 2018 National Adaptation Framework – Planning for a Climate Resilient Ireland. Mayo County Council is the lead authority for the Atlantic Seaboard North Region, which consists of Donegal County Council, Sligo County Council, Mayo County Council, Galway County Council and Galway City Council. 7 OUR APPROACH ENGAGE PLAN ADAPT The first key step in our approach The planning process will include The success of this plan will be is improving our understanding and details on how our climate is changing, measured by our ability to develop communication of the risks from a potential impacts and opportunities, and implement co-ordinated changing climate across the Local as well as the identification of responses to climate risk where Authority departments, businesses, areas at risk to inform planning and needed. Many adaptation actions communities and individuals. The decision-making. The compilation are already underway at Donegal Strategy aims to engage with of inventories and baselines with County Council and mainstreaming communities and place them at the the assistance of relevant state adaptation measures into all levels centre of this adaptation process, agencies and third level academic of operations and policies within and to encourage broad participation institutions will assist operations as Donegal County Council will be an and collective decision making on the adaptation journey of Donegal important aspect of implementing how our citizens want to adapt to County Council progresses. The climate action at local level. The team the challenges and opportunities, integration of climate change will develop a progress report to and how we as a Local Authority principles throughout future plans document observed climatic changes can support this change. Tailored and procedures will be fundamental or impacts in the County; successfully training and development programs in strengthening