Under the National Adaptation Frameworks (NAF), which was published in response to the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, all Local Authorities were tasked with producing a Climate Adaptation Strategy for their functional areas. The Environment Directorate of Cork County Council developed the Climate Adaptation Strategy for Cork County. The strategy draws on the data issued by both national and international forums in addition to those from regional and local sources. It establishes an extreme weather event baseline and predicts the challenges and risks that climate change will pose for the county in the future. Furthermore, the strategy proposes a series of actions to adapt to those climatic changes which are already taking place.

A climate risk register has also been compiled as part of this strategy and it aims to identify a set of actions to minimise impacts from extreme weather events. The risk register is informed by the hazards and vulnerabilities associated with climate change across the county.

The strategy is based on extensive review, research and stakeholder engagement. The public consultation process will also inform the objectives and actions set out in the strategy. Once adopted, the Climate Adaptation Strategy will be the main instrument to achieve the overarching commitment by Cork County Council towards a low carbon, climate resilient and sustainable environment. A climate risk register has also been compiled as part of this strategy and it aims to identify a set of actions to minimise impacts from extreme weather events. The risk register is informed by the hazards and vulnerabilities associated with climate change across the county.

This Climate Adaptation Strategy is the first of its type for Cork County Council. It is a high-level document designed to mainstream the issue of climate change in Local Authority plans, policies and operations. In order to prepare for the challenges of climate change and adapting to its effects, seven high level goals were identified:

The development of these high level goals, are supported by a number of objectives and actions that form that basis of the strategy.