Why plan for climate change?
Our climate is changing, and we need to prepare. Greenhouse gas emissions cause the Earth’s atmosphere to hold more radiation from the sun which increases the overall temperature of the planet. This change in temperature is altering our climate, and causing one of the greatest threats of our time. Even if we stop all emissions immediately, we have already locked in a certain amount of climate change.
In Northern Ireland, this means we will experience warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers. However, cold snaps, drier winters and wet summers will occur, therefore we need to be prepared for a much greater range of extremes.
We are already experiencing increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and this trend is expected to continue for years to come. These changes pose considerable challenges to the everyday working and asset management of organisations. It is important that all organisations understand the risks facing them from climate change and take steps to prepare. This is called ‘climate change adaptation planning’. Organisations can also contribute to tackling climate change by reducing the causes of climate change i.e. reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. This is called ‘climate change mitigation planning’.
Why use these toolkits?
Climate Action is approached in two main ways: Mitigation and Adaptation.
These toolkits have been developed by Climate NI to support organisations with climate action planning. These five-step toolkits have been developed based on international good practice and they aim to provide the building blocks required for the creation of plans for how organisations can manage the impacts from climate change while also informing and taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
By following the two climate action planning cycles below, you’ll ensure that your climate action plan contains both mitigation and adaptation.
Climate Mitigation Actions
AIM TO:
reduce the severity of climate change
HOW?
measure and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions
Climate Adaptation Actions
AIM TO:
prepare for the impacts of climate change
HOW?
understand how you are at risk and make a plan
This video was developed by Climate NI to introduce the context of why climate adaptation is important in NI.
This video was developed by Derry City and Strabane District Council to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change across their region, and the action which can be taken to increase resilience.
Alignment with Public Body Reporting
If you are a public body required to report under The Climate Change (Reporting Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024, or who wishes to voluntarily report:
The Department of Agriculture, Environmenta and Rural Affairs (DAERA) will be publishing in due course more in-depth, wider guidance on mitigation reporting under The Climate Change (Reporting Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.
This Toolkit acts as a supplement, not a replacement to DAERA’s online reporting portal and associated guidance when reporting under the Regulations. Please note that DAERA’s guidance document can be used by any organisation as a guide to Mitigation reporting. Not all information within this document may fully cover all of the reporting duties/requirements of the Regulations.
Further information on the Regulations (including contact details for DAERA’s Public Body Reporting team) can be accessed by following this link.
Not a Public Body?
Other organisations may use these toolkits and the supporting information for climate action planning. Please contact Climate NI to discuss any specific requirements.
These toolkits will enable you to explore:
A climate action plan will require review and renewal, future plans usually enable more tailored action to address specific risks and manage emissions reductions.
Acknowledgements
Climate NI recognises the individuals and organisations we have worked with in the development of these toolkits. We are continually reviewing and updating the toolkits based on peer review and feedback received.
The first version of the NI Adapts Toolkit, was developed as part of the EU INTERREG–funded CLIMATE project.