Climate action plans for Ireland’s 31 local authorities, which outline some 4,000 actions to be completed over the next five years, were adopted at the official launch in April, organised by the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) in Ennis, Co. Clare.
Over the past year all local authorities in Ireland have been preparing their local climate plans. It represents a milestone for the local government sector, which has been working to meet the actions set out in Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.
Collectively up to 4,000 actions have been set out across all the local plans, listing practical climate measures to be completed in each local authority area over the next five years.
All local authorities developed a Climate Change Risk Assessment. which set out the likely risks is terms of climate change, such as increased rainfall or flooding. They also did a Baseline Emissions Inventory which calculates the emissions within the local authority area and sets out emission by sector such as transport, the built environment and agriculture.
Each local authority selected a part of their administrative area – a Decarbonising Zone – where they will pilot and test new actions and projects in collaboration with key stakeholders to help move towards a net zero carbon future.
Speaking at the launch of the plans in Ennis, Co. Clare in April, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, said: “Local authorities have a key role to play in tackling climate change. They work closely with communities on the ground across a range of key areas, from housing to transport. They use their extensive knowledge of the natural and built environments in their areas to make a real difference.
“The new local authority climate action plans will enhance local government’s ability to act. For the first time, all climate related actions are brought together into one document, serving as a focal point and the manual for each local authority and their climate journey.”
