Fingal County Council co-hosting Coastal Communities Adapting Together (CCAT) online conference on coastal management
The conference facilitates sharing of knowledge and experience between policy makers, local authorities, academics and communities from Ireland, Wales and England, building on existing best practice in coastal management, climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Fingal County Council is partnering with Cardiff University to host Coastal Communities Adapting Together (CCAT), a free online conference for sharing knowledge and best practice in coastal management running each morning from 17 to 19 November 2020.
The conference facilitates sharing of knowledge and experience between policy makers, local authorities, academics and communities from Ireland, Wales and England, building on existing best practice in coastal management, climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The Coastal Communities Adapting Together (CCAT) project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation Programme 2014-2020 with partners in Ireland (Fingal County Council, University College Dublin and MaREI/University College Cork) and in Wales (Cardiff University, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and the Port of Milford Haven).
CCAT aims to support coastal communities in Fingal and Pembrokeshire to understand climate change in their local area and how to adapt.
The project is engaging communities using augmented and virtual reality, games such as Minecraft and online learning resources to help communities better understand how climate change is affecting their local area, supporting communities in becoming more resilient to the effects of climate change.
Mayor of Fingal Cllr David Healy said: “Coastal communities all over the planet are facing major challenges from sea level rise and the other impacts of climate change.
“Adapting wisely and fairly to these changes is a complex process which requires evidence, analysis and decisions based on a long-term perspective.
“I am pleased that Fingal is continuing its climate action efforts by partnering with Cardiff University to share knowledge and best practice so that coastal communities can adapt to climate change and protect their environment.”
Chief Executive of Fingal County Council AnnMarie Farrelly said: “Fingal is uniquely placed both to contribute to and benefit from expertise and best practice in coastal management, as coastal environments are a major feature of our landscape.
“I am pleased that we can help to further knowledge sharing in this area in partnership with Cardiff University and the CCAT project in an online setting – which responds to the needs of the present, while engaging with the possibilities of the future.”
Senior Responsible Officer with CCAT and Head of Landscape Architecture, UCD Karen Foley said: “While many countries have strategies for coastal management, Ireland has yet to create such policies.
“Ireland’s programme for government commits to progressing a national policy on coastal erosion and flooding in relation to climate change.
This will be vital for our coastal communities who are already experiencing serious erosion and flooding issues.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD said: “Coming from a constituency which has been, and continues to be greatly impacted by coastal erosion, I understand the grave challenges this presents.
“I welcome the CCAT project, which will assist in furthering our understanding of the implications of climate change for coastal communities.
“Any increased understanding arising from this project will benefit policy makers and others in our long-term work in dealing with the effects of climate change.
“I want to wish all the participants well with their deliberations during the conference.”
Wales’ Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “Response to climate change cannot be the responsibility of one nation nor one government alone – particularly when it comes to issues of coastal management across shared seas.
“I am pleased to hear that despite the difficulties posed by the ongoing pandemic, experts and specialists from across Wales, Ireland and England will be able to meet for the CCAT conference, and can look at how the impact of climate change on our coasts can be managed and responded to collaboratively.”
For a full list of speakers and registration information please see www.ccatproject.eu
For further information contact Emma McKinley, Cardiff University
Website: www.ccatproject.eu
Twitter: @ccatproject