5 ways local authorities are helping Ireland meet climate goals
As the effects of climate change become increasingly clear, local authorities across Ireland continue their efforts to reduce emissions and build more sustainable communities. Here’s a look at 5 things local authorities are doing to help Ireland meet its climate goals.
1: Creating Climate Action Plans
Every local authority creates Climate Action Plans that include measures to reduce the impact of climate change on communities and to adapt to the climate changes that we're already experiencing. The plans also aim to embed climate action across the local authority and promote awareness of climate change in communities they serve. You can read your local authority’s Climate Action Plan on your local authority’s website.
To help with planning and implementation, local authorities are supported by Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs). The CAROs provide expert advice and guidance, and they facilitate co-ordination and collaboration among stakeholders. You can read more about CAROs on our website's climate action section.
2: Keeping track of climate KPIs
The local government sector has begun producing annual reports on the actions being taken in relation to climate change. The latest report shows that all local authorities now have core climate action staff in place, and it considers the actions they're taking and the challenges they face.
You can read the latest report on our website here.
3: Encouraging sustainable transport
A significant proportion of the emissions generated by our society comes from the cars that we drive. To help mitigate this, local authorities are implementing active travel projects that make it easier for people to get around without having to rely on the car – things like improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. While it's recognised that car use is always going to be necessary for many types of journeys, reducing the number of car journeys overall will have positive impacts.
4: Initiatives to reduce emissions in the local government sector
Not only do local authorities facilitate the reduction of emissions in the wider economy, they also implement projects that reduce emissions in the local government sector itself. For instance, local authorities are working together to update public lighting across the country to LED. LED lights use significantly less energy than traditional electric lights, and as they can last up to 20 years they don’t need to be replaced as often. The end result will be a highly efficient public lighting system. You can read more about this project in our website's National Programmes section.
5: Supports to improve climate resilience
Local authorities are working to improve climate resilience in a variety of ways, including implementing adaptation strategies and responding to severe weather events. An example of this is the Severe Weather Response Teams that most local authorities have now set up. These teams meet regularly to ensure that local authorities are prepared when severe weather events happen. It means people in need will be able to receive assistance more easily and the process of recovering from the event is quicker.