Mayors across Europe invited to Cork

Mayors from across Europe have received an invitation to Cork next year to take part in a major summit on climate and health.

The summit was announced by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, who revealed the invitations during a keynote address to the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health.

The Commission, led by former Icelandic prime minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, is an independent World Health Organistion (WHO) Europe body created to advise governments on how to protect health and strengthen resilience in the face of climate change.

Cllr Dennehy highlighted Cork’s role as a WHO-designated Healthy City and an EU Mission City committed to achieving climate neutrality and new zero emissions by 2030.

He said that Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union provided an opportunity to advance a unified agenda on climate action. “Our health, and the health of future generations, depends on the climate decisions we make today. Cork stands ready to lead – together with cities across Europe – towards a healthier, more resilient, and more equitable future.

Cllr Dennehy also outlined the realities of climate change in coastal cities, the effect that climate pressures, such as poor air quality and frequent heatwaves, have on public health, and how extreme weather events are placing a strain on citizens, infrastructure, and emergency services.

“Climate and health now intersect with every portfolio – housing, migration, social equity, economic development, and public health. Political leadership is essential to ensure that climate action is evidence-based, community-led, and fair,” he said.

A number of programmes are underway in Cork to address the issues raised by the Lord Mayor. These include a Sustainable Healthy Food Policy, producing nutritious, locally sourced food; investment in flood resistant public areas and expanded walking and cycling routes; and cleaner transport measures, such as electric bus fleets and safer cycling infrastructure to address air quality issues.

“The urgency is clear. We must deliver solutions that reduce emissions, strengthen resilience, and enhance the well-being of our population,” he said.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.