Enhancing Integration of Disaster Risk and Climate Change Adaptation into Irish Emergency Planning

Abstract

This chapter critically assesses the integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction with a special focus on the Irish policy and governance context. The chapter first presents a comprehensive overview of the Irish policy environment for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction including its current level of integration. Analysis of alignment with global and regional drivers of integration is then considered. Next, drawing on empirical research conducted with multidisciplinary experts across the Republic of Ireland, the chapter employs the SHIELD model, developed by the EU-funded ESPREssO project, which outlines six pathways to enhance integration across the domains of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. The pathways comprise of sharing knowledge, harmonising capacities, institutionalising coordination, engaging stakeholders, leveraging investments and developing communication. Findings of stakeholder focus groups and survey responses highlight the challenges and opportunities for impactful integration between climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Ireland from a practitioner perspective across the six SHIELD pathways. Finally, conclusions from the study indicate the importance of governance, management and coordination of systems for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction; the sequencing of policy-making, planning and research; and the significance of specificity in relation to use of the six SHIELD pathways.

The implications of climate change for emergency planning

“…The evidence presented here suggests that the first view is untenable. More broadly, it has frequently been noted that there is a lack of coherence between disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (see for example [75][76][77][78][79][80][81]. The evidence in this review suggests that the disconnect is actually more nuanced.…”

Change of Risk Perception and Risk Communication in County Cork, Ireland after Former Hurricane Ophelia (2017)

“…This includes the preparedness of the public through raising awareness of risks, communicating these, how to minimise risks and how to empower each person with self-protection measures (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, 2006). Medway et al (2022) came to the same conclusion after interviewing Irish experts involved in risk management on local, regional and national level about their awareness of climate change related risks. They agreed that education and awareness raising about climate-induced risks is a key task that should be carried out in Ireland.…”

“…They agreed that education and awareness raising about climate-induced risks is a key task that should be carried out in Ireland. So, there is a need to integrate these improvements into risk communication in Cork and, according to Medway et al (2022), also in Ireland. This could include introducing a "Be Storm Ready" campaign to raise awareness and preparedness among the general public of Cork and the whole country, similar to the 2022 "Be Summer Ready" campaign by the Department of Defence (Department of Defence, 2022).…”

Climate-resilience of dams and levees in Canada: a review

“…Although climate-resilient infrastructure is expected to mitigate the risks of disruptions resulting from climate change-related shocks, there is still a possibility that such a strategy may not entirely eliminate the danger. In other words, residual risk may remain even with climate-resilient infrastructure [229]. The impact of climate change on infrastructure is determined by the interplay of climate hazards, asset location (exposure), and the potential for adverse consequences (vulnerability) of the asset [230].…”