Coastal erosion: Why hasn't the State taken more action?

The coast in East Cork. In its Annual Review 2024 - Preparing for Ireland's Changing Climate report, the Climate Change Advisory Council said: “The Government should immediately develop and implement a coastal management plan to build resilience in coastal areas and communities against climate impacts, including sea level rise and coastal erosion. File picture: Dan Linehan

While the State set up a Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC), it has been slow to act on the body’s repeated calls for action ever since. In its first report in 2016, it warned of a need for “increasing the resilience of shared critical infrastructures” including “freshwater and coastal marine water bodies”.

It also said: “The council also wishes to highlight both the importance of Ireland’s coastal zones and their vulnerability to climate change impacts and sea level rise. These issues need to be addressed."