The coastline of County Cork extends for 1,118km, which is 20% of that of the country [13]. This coastline is home to 65% of the County's populations who live on or adjacent to the coast [14]. The coastline also contains centres of important economic activity of national significance such as Cork Harbour, Whitegate Oil Refinery, Whiddy Island Oil Trans-shipment Terminal and Castletownbere fisheries port [14]. The coastal region supports many harbours, beaches and biodiversity areas of national importance. Cork Harbour is the most significant port outside of Dublin and has an important role in the leisure, recreation, heritage and tourism sectors in County Cork. Furthermore, there are 27 beaches which have been identified by Cork County Council for annually monitoring and management in line with the Bathing Water Quality Regulations (2000). Of these 27 beaches, 7 have attained the Green Flag status for 2018 while another 13 attained the Green Coast award for 2018 also [15].

Roads and 10,053 km of Local Roads [20], has 10.25% and 12.5% by length respectively of the State’s Regional and Local Road network. In relation to bridges, there are records for 1,367 bridges on the network, which represents 6.7% of the State’s estimated Regional and Local Road bridge stock of 19,000 bridges [21].

With regard to Emergency Services, Cork County Council provides a fire and rescue service from 20 fire stations located throughout the county. There are 11 Upper Tier Seveso Sites and 10 Lower Tier Seveso Sites located in the county [22], the majority located in the coastal areas of Ringaskiddy and Little Island.

In the area of procurement, Cork County Council recognises the importance it plays in the local economy and its obligations to procure goods and services in an environmentally sustainable manner. Cork County Council will continue to support and implement green procurement policies and initiatives in its day-to-day purchasing of goods, services, works and utilities. Such policies include GPP 4 Growth which is an Intereg project bringing together partners from nine countries (including Ireland) to exchange experiences and improve capacities on implementing resource efficiency policies that promote eco-innovation and green growth through Green Public Procurement.

The county is mainly drained by the catchments of the Rivers Blackwater, Bandon and Lee, which rise at the west of the county and flow in an easterly direction before turning southward and discharging into the Celtic Sea. The remaining rivers outside of these catchments, such as the Ilen, the Argideen and the Owenacurra generally flow southward to the sea. The county with 7,593 km of river length, accounts for 10% of the total river length of the state [17]. Some of the County's main towns and centres of population such as Bandon, Bantry, Carrigaline, Clonakilty, Skibbereen and Youghal are on or close to the coastline, while inland towns are on or close to the main rivers such as the Blackwater (Fermoy and Mallow) and the Lee (Macroom). The ESB operate one of the Country's largest hydro-power schemes on the River Lee upstream of Cork City with reservoirs and dams at Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid which have a storage capacity of 45 million cubic metres [18].

In the case of the natural environment, the National Biodiversity Action Plan for 2017-2021 [23] states that there is evidence that climate change is negatively impacting Irish habitats and is driving ocean acidification. In Cork County there are 30 Special Areas of Conservation, 18 Special Protection Areas, 9 Natural Heritage Areas and approximately 89 proposed Natural Heritage Areas [24]. Expected increases in temperature, changes in precipitation patterns, weather extremes (storms and flooding, sea surges, flash floods) and sea-level rise will affect the abundance and distribution of Irish species and possibly encourage the spread of alien invasive species, noxious weeds and pests. All these protected biodiversity areas will need to be given careful consideration during climate adaptation planning.

As well as 6,510 public housing units, the Local Authority owns up to 150 municipal buildings whose functions encompass the full range of local government activity and vary from Area Offices and Libraries to Civic Amenity Sites and Leisure Centres.

The National Road network, which is managed by TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland), has a total length of 5,306km, of which 445km (8.4%) are in the Local Authority administrative area [19]. Cork County Council has responsibility for the Regional and Local Roads in its administrative area and, with 1,343 km of Regional Roads and 10,053 km of Local Roads [20], has 10.25% and 12.5% by length respectively of the State's Regional and Local Road network. In relation to bridges, there are records for 1,367 bridges on the network, which represents 6.7% of the State's estimated Regional and Local Roads bridge stock of 19,000 bridges [21].

Given the size and geographical features of the area as well as the infrastructure assets and responsibilities of Cork County Council, the negative impacts of climate change pose a significant risk to citizens, the economy, the environment and the delivery of local government services. It is therefore imperative to introduce climate adaptation measures as soon as possible.