Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs published its third Climate Change Adaptation Programme on 19 March 2026. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir unveiled NICCAP3 at the launch event.

The programme outlines more than 280 actions from stakeholders including government departments, Translink, NI Water, local councils, academia, the community and voluntary sector, and businesses. It responds to the latest UK Climate Change Risk Assessment.

Minister Muir stated that the region faces impacts from frequent severe storms, extreme flooding, new climate-sensitive animal diseases, and intense wildfires affecting communities, businesses and the environment. He noted collaboration across government departments and external partners to build societal resilience to current and future climate effects.

Ciaran Fox, Director of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects and Chair of Climate NI, welcomed the programme as evidence of necessary joined-up efforts to adapt to climate changes.

Key measures include a Peatlands Strategy for Northern Ireland, City Drainage Plans for Derry/Londonderry and Belfast, a Sustainable Agriculture Programme, and a Food Strategy Framework for a secure sustainable food system.

Dr Lisa McIlvenna, Managing Director at Business in the Community NI, said a 2025 survey found 67% of businesses experienced direct or indirect climate impacts in the past five years. She highlighted disruptions to productivity and supply chains, damage to premises and infrastructure, higher insurance costs, and health risks from severe weather and flooding.