Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
Kerry County Council has invited members of the public to have their say on the local authority’s draft climate action plan and to join the discussion on how the local authority can support communities to adapt to climate change.
The draft plan for the period 2024 to 2029 outlines the main challenges facing the various sectors in the county in the years ahead and how a collaborative approach to decarbonisation and climate change can be achieved.
Submissions on the plan can now be made through the Kerry County Council website and a number of drop-in public consultation sessions are planed over the coming weeks.
Paul Neary, Acting Director of Services with Kerry County Council, said the council plan is in line with national climate action policy and it sets out how the local authority, along with all stakeholders, will tackle the challenges the county faces from climate change.
“The plan specifically addresses mitigation, how we can actively cut harmful emissions and adaptation, and ways in which we can cope with impacts into the future,” he said.
Mr Neary said it is known, for example, that the county is likely to experience increased temperatures, heavier rainfall and more severe winter storms.
“The knock-on effects are already evident. They include increased flooding, coastal erosion but also how we deliver services across the community and likely impacts on our biodiversity and wildlife,” he said.
“Everyone is now invited to contribute towards achieving a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy,” said Mr Neary.
The plan has been coordinated by the Council’s Climate Action Team and is informed by early and proactive engagement with the public and stakeholders over the summer months.
The draft plan along, with several environmental reports, are available for viewing at https://consult.kerrycoco.ie/ and in local libraries.
A number of drop-in events on the plan will be held around the county, including Killarney Library on November 21 from 6.30pm to 8.00pm.
Submissions and comments on the Climate Action Plan can be made online until December 1 or by post to the Climate Action Unit, Kerry County Council, Woodland Industrial Estate, Killarney, V93 XF98.
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