6.1 Introduction

This strategy has implications for the functions and operations of Cork County Council. It is therefore imperative that the Climate Adaptation Team bring together representatives from all key functional areas. Personnel with various technical, operational and management expertise will be a key component in successfully carrying out the necessary tasks and ensure that the actions outlined in the report are implemented.

Climate adaptation will continue to evolve and it is for this reason that the Climate Adaptation Team will remain following the preparation of the adaptation strategy. It is envisaged that the Adaptation Team will meet quarterly. The tasks of the team are as follows:

  1. Prioritise actions within the short, medium and long term delivery timeframes
  2. Develop an approach and initiate implementation of the actions
  3. Liaise with other stakeholders and sectors, both locally and regionally, where required for the implementation of actions
  4. Monitor and evaluate implementation of the actions
  5. Report on Progress to the relevant SPC's and full Council
  6. Respond to changing adaptation and mitigation requirements and ensure that Council policies and procedures are updated accordingly

The preparation of the strategy has identified the need for ‘baseline’ information to monitor implementation. These baselines have been set out in Action 9 and will provide systems for such parameters as the extent of impact and the financial cost of extreme weather events.

6.2 Prioritise Actions

An essential task is to prioritise adaptation actions for delivery within the short, medium and long term timelines as defined in Section 5.3 of this Strategy. Actions are to be assigned timeframes for implementation and assigned to the relevant Directorate of the Local Authority who will assume responsibility for same.

6.3 Develop an approach and initiate implementation

The purpose of this task is to break down the adaptation framework into what actions will be taken and when, and who will carry out the actions by way of an Implementation Plan. Any projects that emerge as a result of the strategy will be subject to screening for EIA and AA and EIA and AA as necessary. The Steering Group will devise a methodology for implementation that includes: