ABSTRACT
In international comparison, Ireland has reported a low number of health adaptation measures, especially when looking at the high number of measures reported on by its direct neighbor, the UK. Therefore, this case study seeks to test whether the reported number of measures reflects the work that has actually been undertaken in Ireland and what the reasons for the Irish government’s risk perception and decisions on health adaptation to climate change are. The expert interviews and content analysis have shown that while Ireland is indeed late with its health adaptation measures in international comparison, the government is about to release a number of new strategies and plans and expand its capacities to foster adaptation in the field. The main drivers of health adaptation are international organizations, especially the EU, and the epistemic community within the country, primarily the cooperation between researchers at universities and governmental agencies.
