Annual Review 2026: Preparing for Ireland's Changing Climate
Ireland’s climate adaptation planning does not match the scale and urgency of increasing
climate risks. Prolonged rainfall and Storm Chandra in January 2026 caused significant
flooding of homes, businesses and transport networks, and exposed persistent vulnerabilities
in critical infrastructure. Unprecedented summer temperatures in 2026 highlighted increasing
risks to water supply, agricultural production, health systems and vulnerable communities.
The updated sectoral adaptation plans fall short of the ambition and urgency needed to
address growing climate risks. They are not costed, lack committed funding and measurable
targets, and actions are not consistently aligned with priority risks. Key gaps remain,
notably the absence of sectoral adaptation plans for the Built Environment and Planning
and Finance sectors, despite their exposure to climate-related risks.