Public views sought on council's draft Climate Action Plan

PEOPLE across county Cork are being sought to engage with the local authority on the draft of its new five-year Climate Action Plan.

The plan shows how Cork County Council can work to influence, facilitate and coordinate the climate actions of communities and stakeholders. It also details how the council will take direct climate action, to meet national targets, in respect of its own activities and assets.

It contains defined goals, objectives and actions across the themes of community, biodiversity, natural environment, heritage, land use, transportation, built environment and waste.

Among the priorities in the plan is an aim for the council to reduce its direct carbon emissions by 51% by 2030. It also hopes to increase its energy efficiency by 50% by 2030, and to establish Macroom as Cork county’s first Decarbonising Zone - a testbed for what is possible for decarbonisation and climate action at a local and community level.

Assisting in the delivery of the climate neutrality objective at local and community levels, and seeking funding for the plan from internal, external and private sources including the EU and energy performance contracts with third-party contractors are also among the priorities.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn said: “Climate change is one of the most critical, long-term global challenges of our time and its effects are already impacting Cork County. Storm Babet is a clear example of this, we saw a month’s worth of rainfall in 24-hours causing unprecedented flooding and damage to homes, businesses and roads.

“Heatwaves, droughts, flooding and coastal erosion are expected to occur more frequently into the future because of climate change. It is essential that we all work together to minimise the impact and to safeguard the future of generations to come. I’m encouraging individuals, communities and businesses to engage with this plan and to have their voices heard.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan added: “Cork County Council has a role both as a community leader, in setting an example by adopting our own policies and plans to affect climate change, as well as encouraging and influencing others. As a local authority, we are already well positioned at the forefront of climate action.

The draft Climate Action Plan 2024 - 2029 is open for public consultation until Monday, November 27 at www.corkcoco.ie.