b'Capitalising on Opportunities: Translating and implementing national adaptation Projected changes in the climate may result in policy and cross-sectoral adaptation initiatives atadditional benefits and opportunities for the local arealocal level, for eg, CFRAM programme.and these should be explored and capitalised upon toEnsuring access to up to date and relevant climate maximise the use of resources and influence positivescience and information to maintain anbehavioural changes. understanding of risks/vulnerabilities that the changing climate presents to local communities, 7.3Role of Kildare County Council local economic development and the naturalAdaptation requires practical action to reduce environment and opportunities arising to supportvulnerability to the negative impacts of ouradaptation actions. changing climate and enhance opportunities and Working with communities and local benefits. Adapting to climate change does not haveorganisations to build resilience and adaptiveto be an overly complex task. Within Kildare Countycapacity.Council, a significant number of adaptation actions areCollaborating through partnerships with other already advancing. The steps taken by this strategyagencies and government agencies to achievehelps to change the scale and focus of existing effortseffective climate adaptation for Kildare. being pursued to orientate towards a greater level of understanding of vulnerabilities and risks and to 7.4Adaptation Actionsinform a considered approach to climate resilience. There are 121 adaptation actions set out under the six high level goals. These actions which may involve The Council is well placed and mobilised to focus anda mixture of grey, green and soft measure cover all drive local adaptation having influence in areas suchfunctional/operational areas of the council as well as as housing, transport, landuse planning, protection ofactions translated from relevant sectoral adaptation natural and cultural environments, other strategies. Actions have been identified for allinfrastructure and community development as well as functional/operational areas of the council whosustainable economic development.It has an have a role in their implementation and delivery. obligation to manage resources as efficiently aspossible in the interest of the local citizens, as not 7.5Timeframesdoing so will result in loss and damage to criticalThe action framework as set out over the 6 High Level assets, increased costs and the uneconomic use ofGoals provides for the implementation of actionsresources.within the timeframes of short, medium and long.In terms of climate adaptation and as is representedFor clarity, these timeframes have been determined asthrough all actions of this strategy, Kildare CountyShort 1-2 yearsCouncil will champion and assume responsibility for:Medium 3-4 YearsLong 5+ yearsEnsuring the effective and efficient delivery of Given their nature, some actions may be commencedfunctions and services under changing climatic within the lifetime of this strategy and continue conditions to reduce risk and increase resilience.beyond it.Integrating climate hazards and adaptation considerations into policies and decision-making processes.Responding effectively to emergency situations during or after extreme weather events.Managing climate risks to public assets owned or managed by the Council (on behalf or in partnership with other bodies/agencies).12 Irelands Biodiversity Adaptation Strategy, Departmentof Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht53'