Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme Report 2019-2024

This article is a summary version of the original text, which can be downloaded from the right-hand column. It highlights some of the publication’s key messages below, but please access the downloadable resource for more comprehensive detail, full references, or to quote text.

Summary

The End of Programme Review of the Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019–2024 (NICCAP2) is the most comprehensive assessment yet of how the region is preparing for the impacts of climate change. It evaluates delivery against 150 actions across ecosystems, infrastructure, people and communities, business and supply chains, food systems, and local government. The review not only provides a clear picture of progress made but also highlights areas where adaptation is lagging. Its findings will inform the design and priorities of NICCAP3, due in 2025, ensuring that future efforts address the most pressing risks identified in the latest UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3).

Introduction

The Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019–2024 (NICCAP2) was developed under the UK Climate Change Act 2008 as the region’s second statutory adaptation programme. Its central aim was to ensure that Northern Ireland becomes resilient, capable of taking well-informed and timely decisions in response to the socio-economic and environmental impacts of climate change. The programme was structured around five key priority areas and seven outcome objectives covering natural capital, infrastructure, people and the built environment, businesses and supply chains, and food security. At its inception NICCAP2 contained 63 government-led actions and 50 stakeholder-led actions, which later expanded to 150 actions during delivery. These actions were monitored using a Red-Amber-Green (RAG) system to assess progress.

Key achievements

NATURAL CAPITAL

NICCAP2 delivered significant progress in enhancing the resilience of Northern Ireland’s ecosystems. Conservation management plans were rolled out for protected areas, peatland restoration projects exceeded targets, and large-scale woodland creation added to long-term carbon sinks and biodiversity protection. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan was implemented, while invasive species control projects, such as the Rathlin Island ferret and rat eradication programme, tackled biodiversity threats directly. Coastal resilience was boosted through advanced LiDAR surveys and the creation of the NI Coastal Observatory, which now provides an accessible evidence base for coastal change monitoring.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure resilience was strengthened through the publication of NI Water’s Resilience Plan and the completion of flood alleviation projects, including the Ravenhill Avenue scheme. Updated flood risk guidance was introduced, while monitoring of slope stability and rail stress under extreme heat has improved preparedness for climate-driven weather extremes. Research into geothermal energy and groundwater use also opened opportunities for long-term, low-carbon resilience solutions.

PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES

NICCAP2 supported new approaches to community-level adaptation. A draft Fuel Poverty Strategy emphasised energy efficiency in homes as a response to climate and social challenges. The Living With Water Plan for Belfast established a long-term vision for urban flood management. Pilot initiatives such as Climate Clever Communities and the work of the Regional Community Resilience Group trialled community-driven climate action, while the Housing Executive developed its first climate adaptation plan. Heritage and cultural sites, including Mount Stewart, began embedding adaptation into their management.

BUSINESS

All business-focused actions were completed. Invest NI used its nibusinessinfo.co.uk platform to provide guidance on climate adaptation, net zero strategies, and financial disclosure. The Department for the Economy sustained annual engagement with energy providers on climate risks, while farmers benefitted from a new Business Resilience Toolkit piloted in the dairy sector. These measures improved awareness and mainstreamed adaptation into business continuity planning.

FOOD

The food system was strengthened through enhanced foresight and monitoring by the Food Standards Agency, which expanded its Signals Dashboard to track climate-related hazards. The Food Fortress initiative improved feed safety, while advisors across the agricultural sector were trained on emissions reduction and nutrient management. At the local level, Belfast established a Sustainable Food Partnership and Derry advanced its Acorn Farm project, both of which explore how local food systems can become more resilient to climate shocks.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Councils played a growing role in adaptation, with several adopting or drafting climate strategies and embedding adaptation considerations into Local Development Plans. Derry & Strabane and Fermanagh & Omagh were among the leaders, while Belfast, Mid Ulster, and Lisburn & Castlereagh made steady progress. Even where full adaptation plans were not completed, councils increasingly incorporated policies on flood risk, and biodiversity, ensuring that resilience is factored into planning decisions.

Persistent Gaps

Water quality crisis: Nutrient pollution, particularly in Lough Neagh, undermined water quality targets and remains the most pressing environmental risk.

Uneven local government progress: While some councils advanced rapidly, others remain at early stages, creating a patchy picture across Northern Ireland.

Soil and agricultural resilience: Although peatland restoration advanced, broader soil strategies were delayed, leaving a gap in long-term land resilience.

Food foresight: Surveillance improved, but modelling of food hazards proved unreliable, and global supply chain risks are not yet fully understood or planned for.

Health sector integration: The climate-health knowledge platform saw little use after COVID-19, showing that climate adaptation has not yet been fully embedded in health planning.

Lessons learned

The review underscores the effectiveness of nature-based solutions such as peatland restoration, woodland creation, and coastal resilience projects. These are cost-effective, deliver multiple benefits, and should be scaled up. Community-led adaptation has proven valuable in building trust, ownership, and preparedness, with pilots showing strong potential to be mainstreamed across all councils. Integrated, cross-sectoral approaches such as the Living With Water Plan and the Belfast Sustainable Food Partnership highlight the importance of systems thinking that connects water, food, health, and housing. Finally, while the evidence base has grown substantially – through coastal mapping, food hazard surveillance, and improved risk modelling – there is still a lag in translating this knowledge into binding policies and enforcement.

Next Steps – NICCAP3 Priorities (2025)

• Water and soils: Immediate, holistic action is needed to tackle nutrient pollution and protect water resources, alongside stronger soil management strategies.
• Community resilience: Pilot initiatives such as Climate Clever Communities should be embedded into the standard practice of all councils.
• Food foresight and urban resilience: Surveillance must be expanded, and urban food systems strengthened to buffer global shocks.
• Infrastructure planning: Climate projections (UKCP18) should be fully integrated into infrastructure design, standards, and investment.
• Local government capacity: Support must be provided to ensure all councils complete robust adaptation plans.
• Cross-border collaboration: All-island initiatives in peatlands, biodiversity, and food should be expanded as shared ecosystems and supply chains face shared risks.

Conclusion

NICCAP2 represents a step change in Northern Ireland’s approach to climate adaptation. Tangible progress was achieved in ecosystem restoration, flood management, and community engagement, laying foundations for resilience. However, persistent weaknesses – particularly in water quality, soil resilience, and uneven local government delivery – mean that Northern Ireland is not yet fully prepared for the escalating risks of climate change. The next programme, NICCAP3, must focus on scaling up nature-based solutions, mainstreaming community resilience, and embedding foresight into food and infrastructure planning if Northern Ireland is to safeguard its people, economy, and environment in the decades ahead.

Suggested Citation

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. 2025. Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019–2024: End of Programme Report. Belfast: DAERA. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/northern-ireland-climate-change-adaptation-programme-2019-2024-end-programme-report.

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. 2025. Public Consultation on the Draft Third Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme (NICCAP3). Belfast: DAERA. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/public-consultation-draft-third-northern-ireland-climate-change-adaptation-programme-niccap3