Members of the public, communities, businesses and stakeholders in Cork have been called to voice their opinion on the Climate Action Plan ahead of this weekend's deadline.

The last date for comments on the first stage of the plan is Sunday, 11 June.

The final Climate Action Plan will show how Cork County Council can work to influence, facilitate and coordinate the climate actions of communities and other stakeholders.

In April, Cork County Council published a Baseline Evidence Summary Report which shows how the climate in County Cork has changed in recent decades. Temperatures are rising, annual average rainfall has increased and sea levels in the Cork Harbour area have risen by approximately 40cm since 1842. 

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The report also shows the risks that further change may have including a predicted increase in the average temperature in County Cork of between 1.1 and 1.5 degrees by 2050. This could result in an increase in summer heatwaves and droughts as well as more frequent coastal flooding and erosion. 

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins said: "Climate change and how we deal with the challenges it poses is one of the most important issues facing us. We want everyone to get involved as we prepare our Climate Action Plan and set out how we can all work together to reach County Cork's climate ambitions. Now is the time for people to use their voice, share their views, ideas and be part of an ambitious plan to safeguard all of our futures."

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added: "We're asking people to make submissions on how we can best transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral economy. This is the first and an important stage of the Cork County Council's Climate Action Plan and we want to hear from all sectors of society. The plan will allow us to build on the large amount of work already underway and reflect national climate objectives but make them real at a local level."