Ireland Faces Rising Costs from Extreme Weather Linked to Climate Inaction
A stark report from Ireland's Climate Change Advisory Council has issued a powerful warning that the devastating impacts of climate change are a present-day reality for the country. The council states that Ireland is consistently warming, with 2025 being the nation's second warmest year on record; seven of the ten warmest years have occurred since 2005. This warming is intensifying rainfall and fueling extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe. The financial and infrastructural toll is already immense. The extremity of Storm Éowyn in 2025, with its record-breaking wind speeds, is cited as the most expensive storm-related insurance event in Irish history. The cumulative effect of these events—including drought, deluges, and destruction—has cost the state hundreds of millions of euro, exposing critical vulnerabilities in national infrastructure and leading to rising insurance premiums for households and businesses. The council's annual review concludes that years of climate inaction have left Ireland acutely vulnerable, 'loading the dice' on extreme weather. It calls for climate adaptation to become a 'central national priority,' emphasizing the need for sustained investment in climate resilience, including strengthened flood defences. The report further warns that the continued reliance on imported fossil fuels leaves the economy exposed to global shocks. An expert cited in the coverage has gone so far as to suggest Ireland must begin preparing evacuation plans for vulnerable coastal areas as these climate-related intensifications are expected to continue.
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Ireland 'loading the dice' on extreme weather after years of climate inaction, council says
The Climate Council report is also calling on Ireland to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels. It adds: “Our continued reliance on economically volatile imported fossil fuels leaves households, communities and businesses acutely vulnerable to shocks such as the current conflict in the Middle East.” ... Keep up with stories of the day with our lunchtime news ...
The Climate Change Advisory Council ... of climate change is here and now in Ireland. 2025 was Ireland's second warmest year on record and seven of the ten warmest years here have occurred since 2005. Rainfall is intensifying too - with six of the ten wettest autumns recorded since 2001. Storm Éowyn last year, with record wind speeds, was the most expensive storm-related insurance event in Irish history costing more than ...
Climate adaption needs to become a ‘central national priority’ in Ireland, report finds - Sustainability Online
Featuring the latest sustainability news and ESG insight, viewed through a business lens. ... The Climate Change Advisory Council’s latest annual review has said that climate adaption needs to become a ‘central national priority’ in Ireland, particularly in terms of strengthening flood ...
The Irish Times view on the latest Irish climate change review: a powerful, troubling picture – The Irish Times
The report shows clearly that Ireland’s climate is consistently warming, and that extreme events credibly attributable to this warming are becoming more frequent, and more intense. The result is actual and potential increasing damage to livelihoods, health, communities, critical infrastructure and ecosystems on multiple levels. The year 2025 started as it went on, with the extremity of Storm Éowyn, whose record-breaking winds made it the most costly ...
Met Éireann warns of stormy Easter weekend as nationwide weather advisory issued
Ireland 'loading the dice' on extreme weather after years of climate inaction, council says ... Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are. ... Keep up with stories of the day with our lunchtime news wrap and important ...
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