CORK COUNTY COUNCIL SEEKS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON NEW CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

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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 40 cm 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 230 mm 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 by clicking the button below and submissions can also be made from today the 24th April to Sunday 21st of May inclusive.

Cork County Council is required by statute to adopt the plan before the 24th of February 2024.


 

TÁ COMHAIRLE CONTAE CHORCAÍ AG LORG RANNPHÁIRTÍOCHT AN PHOBAIL AR PHLEAN NUA UM GHNÍOMHÚ AR SON NA HAERÁIDE

Tá Comhairle Contae Chorcaí ag lorg rannpháirtíocht an phobail ar an gcéad chéim de Phlean nua um Ghníomhú ar son na hAeráide don chontae. Beidh an comhairliúchán ina bhonn eolais faoin gcaoi is fearr is féidir linn dul i ngleic leis na dúshláin a bhaineann lenár n-athrú aeráide, agus ag an am céanna oibreoidh sé chun spriocanna náisiúnta a bhaint amach maidir le hastaíochtaí gás ceaptha teasa a laghdú.

Tá Tuarascáil Achoimre ar Fhianaise Bonnlíne foilsithe ag Comhairle Contae Chorcaí ina bhfuil eolas ar Fhardal Astuithe Bunlíne agus ina scrúdaítear freisin an t-athrú atá tagtha ar an aeráid i gContae Chorcaí le blianta beaga anuas, agus a léiríonn ag an am céanna an baol go mbeidh tionchar ag athrú aeráide amach anseo.

I measc na dtorthaí tá

-    tá ardú 40cm tagtha ar leibhéil na farraige i gceantar Chuan Chorcaí ó 1842

-    tháinig méadú 3% ar mheánbháistí bliantúla ag Aerfort Chorcaí idir 1981-2010, i gcomparáid leis an tréimhse chéanna 1961-1990

-    bhí 230 mm báistí i gceist le tuile Ros Ó gCairbre in 2020, an líon is airde a taifeadadh ó 1961

Tuartar sa tuarascáil freisin go dtiocfaidh méadú ar an meánteocht idir 1.1 agus 1.5 céim celsius do Chontae Chorcaí faoi 2050, rud a fhágann go dtiocfaidh méadú ar thonnta teasa agus ar thriomaigh. Is dócha go n-éireoidh tuilte cósta agus creimeadh cósta níos minice, mura ndéantar beart chun astaíochtaí a laghdú.Chuir Méara Chontae Chorcaí, an Clr Danny Collins, an tuarascáil faoi bhráid na Comhairle iomláine Dé Luain, an 24 Aibreán.

Tá an Clr Collins ag lorg rannpháirtíocht an phobail ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo agus go gcloisfear guth gach duine,

Táimid ag spreagadh gach duine a bheith páirteach sa chaoi is gur féidir le pobail, comhlachtaí, grúpaí agus páirtithe leasmhara eile a bheith páirteach i bhforbairt ár bPlean Gníomhaíochta ar son na hAeráide. Aithníonn Comhairle Contae Chorcaí an saibhreas eolais áitiúil ar fud an chontae agus ba mhaith linn oibriú le chéile chun a oiread eolais agus is féidir a bhailiú chun a chinntiú go ndéanaimid uile ár bpáirt chun tacú le huaillmhianta aeráide an chontae.

Tá Comhairle Contae Chorcaí ag súil leis an tionchar atá aici mar údarás áitiúil a úsáid chun an comhrac i gcoinne athrú aeráide a stiúradh le tacaíocht dhíreach ó na daoine atá ina gcónaí i gContae Chorcaí.

Taispeánfaidh an plean deiridh, nuair a fhoilseofar é, conas is féidir leis an gComhairle oibriú chun tionchar a imirt ar ghníomhaíochtaí aeráide pobal agus geallsealbhóirí eile, agus chun na gníomhaíochtaí sin a éascú agus a chomhordú.

Táthar ag iarraidh ar an bpobal aighneachtaí a dhéanamh faoin gcaoi is fearr is féidir leis an gComhairle an t-aistriú chuig geilleagar atá athléimneach ó thaobh na haeráide de, atá saibhir ó thaobh na bithéagsúlachta de, inbhuanaithe ó thaobh an chomhshaoil de agus aeráidneodrach a bhaint amach.Chuir Tim Lucey, Príomhfheidhmeannach Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí, béim ar an méid seo a leanas:

Tá an t-athrú aeráide ar cheann de na dúshláin is mó atá os comhair ár saoránach, agus ceann ina bhfuil freagracht ar gach duine a gcion féin a dhéanamh do na glúine atá le teacht. Is caibidil nua dár n-uaillmhianta aeráide é forbairt an Phlean um Ghníomhú ar son na hAeráide a chuirfidh ar ár gcumas tógáil ar an méid mór oibre atá ar siúl cheana féin agus Plean sonrach Gníomhaíochta ar son na hAeráide a chruthú do Chontae Chorcaí, rud a léireoidh cuspóirí aeráide náisiúnta ach iad a dhéanamh fíor ag leibhéal áitiúil.

Tá an tuarascáil Achoimre ar Fhianaise Bonnlíne ar fáil ar Climate Action Plan

áit ar féidir aighneachtaí a dhéanamh ón Luan 24 Aibreán go dtí an Domhnach 21 Bealtaine, an dá lá sin san áireamh.

Ceanglaítear ar Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí de réir reachta an plean a ghlacadh roimh an 24 Feabhra 2024.