Ocean Climate – Marine Institute Staging

We monitor Ireland’s changing ocean to help people understand the evidence, assess risks, and respond through policy, research, and public communication.

How the ocean around Ireland is changing

Changes observed across Irish waters are linked to global climate trends, with local impacts on ecosystems, industries, and communities.

Rising sea temperatures

Ocean temperatures around Ireland have increased over recent decades. Warmer waters affect marine species, fisheries, and ecosystem dynamics.

Ocean acidification

The ocean absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide, making seawater more acidic. This can harm shell-forming species such as oysters and mussels.

Sea level rise

Sea levels are rising along Ireland’s coast, increasing the risk of coastal flooding, erosion, and damage to infrastructure.

Changing ocean conditions

Shifts in currents, storms, and weather patterns affect marine habitats and the distribution of species.

Why ocean climate change matters

Ireland depends on a healthy ocean for food, jobs, and coastal resilience. Ocean climate change affects:

fisheries and aquaculture
coastal communities and infrastructure
marine biodiversity and ecosystems
national climate adaptation and planning

Policy and climate action in Ireland

Ireland has a strong policy framework for responding to climate change. Ocean climate change forms a key part of that response.

Climate Action Plan 2024

The plan addresses emissions reduction and adaptation, including ocean-climate monitoring, research and innovation, and resilience in coastal and marine sectors.

National Adaptation Framework

The framework guides preparation for climate impacts across sectors, including measures to reduce risk and strengthen long-term resilience in marine and coastal areas.

Climate legislation

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act (2021) provides the legal basis for Ireland’s climate response. It requires:

government departments to set carbon budgets
sectoral adaptation plans, including for marine and coastal environments
evidence-based policy supported by scientific data

Illustration of satellites, research vessels, instrumented buoys, aircraft and coastal stations gathering ocean observations around Ireland.

How we support climate action

We monitor long-term ocean conditions around Ireland and track temperature, acidity, and sea level. We analyse emerging risks and turn complex science into usable information for policy, research, and public understanding.

Access data and learn more

Explore ocean climate data
View climate reports and publications
Read Ireland’s climate policy documents

Take action

Use our data to support your research or reporting
Inform policy and planning decisions
Share clear, accurate information about ocean change

Ocean climate change

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