HORIZON-EIC-2023-iCapitalPrize - The European Capital of Innovation Awards
EU Prizes: Application form (prizes) The European Capital of Innovation Awards: V1.0 – 08.03.2023
representatives (through the Public Participation Network). These events were developed in conjunction with University College Cork’s Civic En gagement Unit
•
Engaged with schools and younger generations to ensure their voice is heard.
•
Launch of a €840,000 Community Climate Action Fund.
Mission to ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters
• In November 2022, Cork became the first Atlantic City to sign the Charter of the Mission to ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’. In doing so Cork City Council pledges to play a meaningful local leadership role in this area. To support these efforts, a 10-point local Action Programme has been devised by which to embrace our natural water resources. This plan encompasses a series of commitments to deliver locally through a series of plans and pilot actions on Green and Blue Infrastructure (nature-based solutions); on safeguarding biodiversity; and on water quality and pollution, including through citizen science.
Key deliverables include:
•
Sensitive waterfront heritage conservation.
• The relocation of the port facility will create the regeneration space allowing Cork to grow as a more compact city. • Lee-to-Sea Greenway as a world-class walking, running, and cycling route amenity running through the city and along its harbour to the ocean. • In addition to the work to develop the Climate Contract as part of the Cities Mission Programme, Cork City Council has engaged in supporting activities which will help accelerate Cork City’s Climate Neutral Ambition
Cork City’s Air Quality Strategy
In August 2021 Cork City Council was the first local authority in Ireland to launch an Air Quality Strategy. This was a co-created strategy which was developed by Cork City Council in collaboration with residents, community groups, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), University College Cork (UCC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Munster Technological University (MTU) and Healthy Cities, amongst other groups to develop and implement the strategy. The Air Quality Strategy sets out short, medium, and long-term initiatives to improve air quality in Cork City including proposing:
•
A ‘last mile Electric Vehicle Delivery’ service for HGV (heavy goods vehicles) in the city.
•
The creation of Low Emission Zones /Clean Air Zones
• The increase of tree cover in the city includes the development and enhancement of ecological corridors, the securing of wetland areas, the increasing the number of pocket parks and parklets and the expansion of areas to be used to offset carbon levels. • By the end of 2023 1,500 trees will be planted, an increase of 20%. Cork City Council plans to increase this number year on year.
Air Quality Monitoring System
At the core of Cork City Council’s Air Quality Strategy is the existence of an air quality monitoring system. This system includes a network of low-cost air quality sensors that measures PM 2.5. This real time air quality data can help Cork City Council and others to make data-based decisions and monitor the impact of these decisions on air quality across the city. This is the first low-cost air quality network of its kind in Ireland and was developed in partnership with the Centre for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry at University College Cork (UCC). The sensor data is validated against UCC’s air quality monitoring station to ensure that the data is robust. The air quality data is shared with citizens through an open data air quality dashboard.
CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
Cork City Council is currently developing a Local Authority Climate Action Plan to meet and exceed national emission reduction targets and develop resilience to the impacts of Climate Change. This Climate action plan will build on the 2019 Cork City Council Cork City Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. The Climate Change Adaptation Strategy consisted of 66 actions across different areas of climate change. As part of the strategy, Cork City Council was the first local authority in Ireland to establish a climate action committee. Through this strategy, many innovative initiatives were introduced, most notably the
4
Powered by FlippingBook