Cork County Council is seeking public engagement on the first stage of a new Climate Action Plan for the county. The consultation will inform how we can best tackle the challenges posed by our changing climate, while working to meet national targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Cork County Council has published a Baseline Evidence Summary Report which contains Baseline Emission Inventory information and also examines how the climate in County Cork has changed in recent decades, while also showing the risks of impact that future climate change may cause.
Findings include;
- sea levels in the Cork Harbour area have risen by approximately 40cm since 1842
- annual average rainfall at Cork Airport increased by 3% between 1981-2010, compared to the same period 1961-1990
- the Rosscarbery flood of 2020 involved 230mm of rainfall, the highest recorded since 1961
The report also predicts an increase in the average temperature of between 1.1 and 1.5 degree celsius for Cork County by 2050, resulting in an increase in heatwaves and droughts. Coastal flooding and erosion is likely to become more frequent, unless action is taken to reduce emissions.
The report was presented to Full Council on Monday, April 24th by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins.
Cllr Collins is asking for public engagement on this important matter and for everyone’s voice to be heard, “We are encouraging everyone to get involved so that communities, bodies, groups and other stakeholders can be part of the development of our Climate Action Plan. Cork County Council recognises the wealth of local information throughout the county and we want to work together to gather as much information as possible to ensure that we all play our part in supporting our county’s climate ambitions”.
Cork County Council expects to use its influence as a local authority to lead the fight against climate change with direct support from the people living in County Cork.
The final plan, when published, will show how the Council can work to influence, facilitate and coordinate the climate actions of communities and other stakeholders.
Members of the public are being asked to make submissions on how the Council can best transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral economy.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey highlighted “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our citizens, and one in which everyone bears a responsibility to do their part for future generations. The development of this Climate Action Plan marks a new chapter for our climate ambitions which will allow us to build on the large amount of work already underway and create a specific Climate Action Plan for Cork County, reflecting national climate objectives but making them real at a local level.”
The Baseline Evidence Summary report is available online at www.corkcoco.ie
and where submissions can also be made from Monday 24th April to Sunday 21st May inclusive.
Cork County Council is required by statute to adopt the plan before the 24th of February 2024.
