Appendix 6 High Level Goal 6: Leading on Sustainability and Climate Action
6. 2 Written submissions Written submissions are highlighted below with priority given to “climate action specific” written responses, followed by responses from stakeholders with a broader remit and/or partnership status with the City Council (CCPPN, Cork City Chamber, etc) and then responses from individuals.
Submission source Summary of Issue Raised relevant to this High-Level Goal 6.2.1 Draft Cork City Climate Action Plan 2024-2029
Despite Cork City’s Draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 being mandated by the statutory Local Authority Climate Action Plan, this plan goes beyond statutory targets and aims to reach a “net zero” emissions target by 2030. As the plan itself notes, this requires a “dramatic acceleration of our progress, achieved through a careful examination of the barriers we face and a systematic approach to overcoming them.” The plan does not constitute a submission to the LECP per se, but rather a critical plan with which the LECP must be mutually aligned. The context of the plan – as relevant to note from an LECP perspective – is as follows: • Cork is one of Ireland’s most rapidly growing cities and economically the second most important city in the state. • Cork city produces 1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, predominantly from residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and road transport. • The city is vulnerable to climate change most particularly in the area of flooding, which is projected to become more frequent and intense unless mitigated. • Cork city residents have indicated a high awareness of climate action, creating a strong willingness to act. Key elements of Cork City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) are as follows: • The goal of achieving net zero “as soon as possible” in line with the EU’s Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission’s objective by identifying testing and implementing approaches to acceleration in all five thematic areas (see below). • The CAP aims to protect and enhance Cork’s natural and built environment. • The CAP aims to establish best-practice governance to lead the city into a sustainable and thriving future.
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