A Historic Building with a Sustainable Future

Built in 1730, long before the Industrial Revolution, Civic Trust House has witnessed nearly 300 years of change in Cork’s urban landscape. At the time of its construction, the idea that human activity could influence the climate would have seemed impossible, at most, a matter for superstition.

Today, we live in what scientists call the Anthropocene Era, defined by significant human impact on the Earth’s ecosystems. Since Civic Trust House was built, our species has driven climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. This historic building has stood through centuries of transformation, and we are committed to ensuring it plays a role in building a more sustainable future.

As part of our commitment to climate action and heritage conservation, Civic Trust House is a proud signatory of the Climate Heritage Manifesto for CoP27. We are actively working to reduce our carbon footprint and advocate for climate justice in the arts and cultural sector. You can view our full environmental strategy here:

In summer 2023, we submitted a funding proposal to the Local Climate Action Fund. This initiative aims to improve the energy efficiency of Civic Trust House and support Cork’s creative community in addressing climate challenges together.

In 2024, we are revising our proposal to meet evolving goals. It’s a daunting but vital mission. Even if the Paris Climate Agreement targets are met, sea levels are expected to rise significantly by 2300, potentially submerging parts of Cork city centre before the end of this century.

If you’re interested in collaborating with us on climate action or sustainable cultural initiatives, please contact us.