Offaly’s future: more heavy rain and 1.5°C rise in temperature

Average temperatures in Offaly could rise by between 1.1 and 1.5°C by 2050, a draft climate action report for the county has indicated.

The report also suggests that the number of heavy rainfall days annually could rise by up to 51% in some parts of the county compared to the period 1981-2000, in worst-case scenarios.

The projections are included in a Climate Change Risk Assessment carried out as part of the draft Offaly Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 published last week.

Launching the draft climate plan, Offaly County Council's Chief Executive Anna Marie Delaney said the council is "committed to climate action".

The greatest impact on the county will come from river and rainfall (pluvial) flooding, the risk assessment predicts.

Based on modelling for a high-carbon emission scenario, projections indicate that heatwaves will become more frequent by mid-century.

Summer rainfall is expected to reduce by between 6 and 10% in the future when compared with the baseline period of 1981 to 2000, contributing to potential drought conditions.

It pointed out that increases in the frequency of heatwaves and droughts will be accompanied by the ageing of the county's population, leading to an increase in the number of vulnerable people exposed to heat-related risks.

As a consequence of the increasing temperatures, it's predicted there will be a decrease in the number of frost days and ice days in the 2041-2060 future period when compared with the baseline period of 1981 to 2000.

The annual snowfall in the region is projected to decrease substantially by the middle of the century.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive said the local authority will support climate action through "leading by example and supporting our local communities in their efforts to build capacity and become more resilient to climate change.”

The council is seeking public engagement on the draft Climate Action Plan, which includes actions aimed at reducing Offaly County Council’s emissions across its own infrastructure and assets by 51% by 2030 and to assist in enabling sectoral emission reductions across the county.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick said the draft Climate Action Plan sets out a roadmap for how global climate challenges can, and must, be met at a local, community and county level.

"I am confident that Offaly will achieve the ambitious targets set for the public sector to achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and to increase energy efficiency to 50% by the year 2030,” he said.

The plan encompasses all forms of climate action including mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity enhancement and sets out actions which will “encourage and support our local communities to strengthen their capacity and resilience to climate change through funding and other supports which Offaly County Council will provide”, added Cllr Tony McCormack, Chair of Climate Action, Environment, Water and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee with Offaly County Council.

Cllr McCormack also spoke of the importance of citizens engaging with and making submissions on the draft plan to ensure Offaly takes positive action and is recognised as one of the leaders of climate action in the country.

The plan can be inspected during public opening hours until 4pm Wednesday, December 6, online at https://www.offaly.ie/climate-change-action-plan-consultation/ and in

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