1. 1 Environmental Services Training Group LOCAL AUTHORITY ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE 2015 Protecting Our Environment Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, May 2015.

2. Protecting Our Environment Ireland’s Climate Information Platform: Facilitating Decision-making for Climate Adaptation Dr. Barry O’Dwyer Senior Postdoctoral Climate Scientist University College Cork

3. Introduction and Background  Ireland’s Climate Information Platform (ICIP) is an EPA- funded project.  Aim: Design and develop a one-stop web-based resource of climatic and adaptation information (www.climateireland.ie) to facilitate climate adaptation decision making while also acting as a source of climatic and adaptation information for the general Publicwww.climateireland.ie  A phased Approach to Development Phase 1 – Discovery Prototype (2011-2013) Phase 2 – Pre-operational ICIP (2013-2015)

4. Adaptation Practice Policy Making Scientific Research Climate change adaptation is a complex, multi- disciplinary, multi-stakeholder problem Observational data Climate Projection Impact Analysis Climate Policy Relevant National & International Policy Best Practice Guidance Tools & Frameworks Case Study

5. Providing information, tools and frameworks to facilitate users through the adaptation management cycle Scope Initial Risk Screening  Detailed Risk Analysis  Evaluating Adaptation Options  Facilitating Decision Making for Climate Adaptation  ICIP is being developed on the basis of the requirements of best-practice adaptation decision making frameworks

6. Key Areas of Information Provision Understanding/Awareness Information Provision Decision Support

7. Decision Support - Local Authority Adaptation Support Tool  Tailored web application to facilitate LAs in meeting the requirements of the NCCAF Aims to harness all information and knowledge made available through Climate Ireland Developed in close collaboration with the EPA funded Adaptation Fellowship ‘Developing guidelines for the integration of climate adaptation in Irish spatial planning and SEA procedures' Currently being employed & assessed by LA representatives.

8. Thank You For Your Attention! www.climateireland.ie b.odwyer@ucc.ie To Conclude  ICIP is a ‘work in progress’  Continued user feedback and collaboration will help us to enhance the resource and meet key decision-making requirements