Sustainable Cork Programme

The Sustainable Cork Programme was initiated in May 2020, a hugely challenging time for businesses, and across all of society.

The programme is designed to set a vision for a more sustainable and resilient Cork, empowered by a thriving business community and framed through the powerful lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The research focused on exploring the sectoral challenges and the opportunities for a sustainable, strong recovery, in parallel with a discussion of the vision for Cork.

In June, the Chamber hosted 10 sectoral Think Tank discussions which highlighted:

Sustained support through the recovery post Covid-19

Climate action, Government policy certainty and support for climate innovation

Support to transition business skills, activities, production models and materials

A living City region with a connected, integrated public and sustainable transport network to support sustainable development, and affordable accommodation

Support for cluster and innovation hubs

Early education and role models as a key pillar of societal and workplace inclusion and diversity

Support for remote and flexible working

Business commitment and Cork commitment to support local, grow global

Affordable and accessible childcare

Delivery on established Government strategies namely Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework, Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, National Broadband Plan, Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

The sectoral Think Tanks were followed with a public survey called ‘Imagineer Your City, Your County’ to which over 800 responses were received.

Opinion across the board once again highlighted the importance of climate action, connected public transport, quality of life, affordable accommodation, and the opportunities for a Living City region, painting a picture of the Cork that people want to live in, work in and enjoy. A picture very similar to the asks of the Cork business community.

We invite you to read the Building Economic Resilience report in which we share the sectoral priorities, and the complete findings of the Imagineer Your City, Your County survey.

MiChelle o’Sullivan Senior Public Affairs Executive

The 5-part Sustainable Cork Programme Webinar Series commenced with the topic of Diversity, Inclusion and Black Lives Matter led by Dr Naomi Masheti of the Cork Migrant Centre. Dr. Masheti discussed the Black Lives Matter movement and the pathway for government and business in creating an inclusive and sustainable city region.

At our second event Sean Kearns, Director at Reddy Architecture and Urbanism and Tony Reddy, Chair of Reddy Architecture and Urbanism and of the Academy of Urbanism then led an insightful discussion on how best to get people living in our City centre, above shops throughout the existing built fabric of our City.

Our next webinar is led by Dr Tara Shine, and Madeleine Murray of Change by Degrees, with Tara recently appointed co-facilitator of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Structured Expert Dialogue. The webinar will focus on building business resilience.

Please join us on our Sustainable Cork Programme Webinar series, with more info on our events page. https://chamber.corkchamber.ie/events/catgid/1014