IRELAND needs to do more to prepare for extreme weather events, the Climate Change Advisory Council has warned.
The Climate Council is an independent body advising on climate change and its impact on Ireland.
Peter Thorne, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council’s Adaptation Committee, urged Ireland to act now[/caption]
Following the devastation caused by Storm Eowyn, the Council are urging the Government to do more to prepare for further extreme weather events in the future.
They are also calling for a National Climate Damage Register to be created to record the economic, social and environmental impact of storms.
Peter Thorne, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council’s Adaptation Committee said: “The time to act is now. Government cannot procrastinate any longer.
“Proactive action can and must improve our preparedness for and response to rapidly emerging climate risks, to protect and support people, and future proof our communities.
“This must be underpinned by robust climate data and services.
“The Council has highlighted the inadequacy of Ireland’s approach to address our changing climate over many years, and we have consistently called for investment and legislation to address the vulnerability and lack of resilience within our critical infrastructure and services in coping with extreme climate events.
“If we do not put the structures and resources in place we will increasingly expose people and communities to the destructive effects of extreme weather events, magnifying future costs and risks to society.”
The Council said that the “fingerprints of climate change are increasingly evident” in the intensifying magnitude and frequency of certain extreme events, particularly heavy rainfall and heatwaves.
Last year was the warmest year globally, ever, and it was the fourth warmest year in Ireland – with spring being the sixth wettest on record.
The Council’s report examines the disruption and impact for people, places and nature in Ireland with Storms Isha, Bert and Darragh bringing particularly strong winds, high rainfall and significant flood damage in Donegal, Kerry, Cork, Limerick and Galway.
However, it was Storm Eowyn, in January of this year, that set an all-time record.
It brought sustained hurricane force winds of 142kph, which saw 768,000 without power, over 200,000 without water and over one million telecom customers without broadband or phone coverage.
New figures supplied to the Department of Finance revealed more than 27,000 claims have been filed since the – devastating weather event.
And new data indicates around €112million worth of damage was done to homes around the country, while commercial claims amount to €122million.
MISSED TARGET FINES
Separately, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Climate Change Advisory Council have come together to warn that Ireland must act to avoid massive financial costs from missing its 2030 climate targets.
The advisory councils described the potential costs as “staggering”.
Missing the targets could require having to pay between €8 billion and €26bn to other European Union member states.
Currently, Ireland is heading to overshoot its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target for transport, buildings, small industry, waste and agriculture by around 57 per cent.
Emissions from the land and forestry sector are heading for double their target, while renewable energy generation is on course for a shortfall of 12 per cent.
Ireland is legally obliged to buy carbon credits from other EU countries to cover shortfalls but it is not known how much a carbon credit could cost.
