b'1.7Adaptation Policy Context 1.7.2EU ContextThis local authority adaptation strategy is set within aThe 2013 EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate policy framework at International, European, National Change encouraged all member states to adoptand Local level.comprehensive adaptation strategies. It sought for better informed decision making through the1.7.1International Context identification and addressing of gaps in knowledge The United Nations Framework Convention on about adaptation. The European Climate Adaptation Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international Platform, Climate-ADAPT, was developed as a resource environmental treaty adopted in May 1992. Its mechanism to help users access and shareobjective is to stabilize greenhouse gas information on adaptation. concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference withThe Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and the climate system. The framework did not set Energy is a voluntary, bottom up, approach for cities binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions and and local governments to combat Climate Change and contained no enforcement mechanisms. However itmove towards a low emission, resilient society. outlined how specific international treaties may negotiate further action towards its key objective. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy The Paris Agreement 2015 is a protocol set within thebrought the Compact of Mayors and the EU Covenant context of the UNFCCC (ratified by Ireland on of Mayors under one international body in January 4th November 2016) and it is aimed at: 2017 incorporating over 9,000 cities and localgovernments. Kildare County Council becameLimiting global warming to less than 2 0 C above signatories of the Global Covenant of Mayorspre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limitfor Climate and Energy in September 2019. This is the temperature increase to 1.5 0 C. further explored in Chapter 2: Mitigation in Kildare Building resilience and increasing the abilityCounty Council.to mitigate the impacts of climate change.1.7.3National ContextThe agreement states the need for constituent PartiesThe 2012 National Climate Change Adaptationto formulate and implement National Adaption Plans.Framework (NCCAF) was Irelands first step indeveloping a national policy on adaptation actions to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development combat the impacts of climate change. In 2015, countries adopted the2030 Agenda forSustainable Developmentand its 17 Sustainable The National Policy Position on Climate Action and Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a blueprintLow Carbon Development 2014 restated the policyto achieve a better and more sustainable future. position of the NCCAF, 2012. Greenhouse gasThey address global challenges related to poverty,mitigation and adaption to the impacts of climate inequality, climate, environmental degradation, change were to be addressed in parallel national plans prosperity, and peace and justice. The Goals under an evolving climate policy to 2050. interconnect and are interdependent. Goal No. 13addresses Climate Action with an objective to: The Climate Action and Low Carbon DevelopmentTake urgent action to combat climate change and Act 2015 was a landmark national milestone in the its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting evolution of climate change policy in Ireland. developments in renewable energyThe Goal recognises Climate Change as a globalchallenge that does not respect national borders andrequires solutions that need to be coordinated at the international level to help developing countriesmove toward a low-carbon economy.14'