At the County Council Meeting on Monday February 12th 2024, the Elected Members of South Dublin County Council, voted to approve the new Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. The Plan will be in place for a period of five (5) years, from the date of approval. The final Plan will be officially published by the Council, in the coming weeks.
The new Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 sets out mitigation, adaptation and other climate action measures, to create a low carbon and climate resilient County. The Plan includes a range of actions across the six theme areas of Energy & Buildings, Transport, Flood Resilience, Nature Based Solutions, Circular Economy & Resource Management and Citizen Engagement. This is aligned to the Government’s overall National Climate Objective as set out in the national Climate Action Plan, which seeks to pursue and achieve, by no later than the end of 2050, the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.
Councillor Alan Edge, Mayor of South Dublin County said “I welcome the approval of the Council’s new Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. As we move towards implementing and monitoring the Plan, the Council will continue to mainstream its climate action efforts, with a particular focus on community engagement. The Government’s national Climate Action Plan 2024 recognises the key role that local government has to play, in implementing measures that contribute to meeting national climate targets and ambition. I believe that we must all continue to work together on climate action, working towards real solutions that are meaningful, inclusive, fair and accessible, for all. I wish to acknowledge the ongoing commitment and effort of the Elected Members of the Council, the Environment, Public Realm and Climate Change Strategic Policy Committee and Council staff”.
Teresa Walsh, Director of Environment, Water and Climate Change said “The impacts and risks of climate change are becoming more complex and challenging. In implementing our new Climate Action Plan, South Dublin Council Council, in partnership with the other Dublin local authorities, continues to foster a shared approach in addressing climate change and demonstrating ongoing leadership and support for other sectors. The new Plan reflects this ambition and includes a broad range of actions, highlighting the ongoing commitment of the Council, to working with local communities and citizens across the County, in taking climate action’.
In accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, each local authority in Ireland has been required to make a Climate Action Plan, to include both adaptation and mitigation actions. The new Plan also includes a Register of Opportunities for the Council’s Clondalkin Decarbonising Zone (DZ), for which an Implementation Plan will be developed. The Council’s Climate Action Plan has been prepared in accordance with the Local Authority Climate Action Plan Guidelines, as published by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, in March 2023.
To keep up to date on latest climate news and announcements in South Dublin County, please visit www.southdublinclimate.ie