Communities across Wicklow are being invited to have their say on drafting Wicklow County Council’s first Local Authority Climate Action Plan.
The Council has launched a survey to gather insights from the public on the development of the Climate Action Plan.
The survey is available on Wicklow County Council’s online consultation hub at https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Online-Consultation-Hub/Wicklow-County-Council-Climate-Action-Plan and will be open for submissions from Tuesday 16th May until Tuesday 13th June.
Feedback from the survey will help the Council identify actions that need to be taken to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to prepare and adapt for climate change in Wicklow in the coming years. These actions will be included in the first draft of the Wicklow Climate Action Plan published later this year when the public will again be invited to share their views.
The actions of the plan will look not only at how Wicklow County Council can transform its own operations and services but will consider what other organisations the Council can partner with and what supports it can give to local communities and individuals. A joint effort is required to reduce and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
Wicklow County Council hopes the plan will help them lead on reducing emissions in Wicklow by 51 per cent by 2030 and to create a pathway towards a net zero economy for 2050, ensuring a secure and vibrant future for all in the county.
To inform the development of the plan, a baseline emissions inventory has been produced that identifies the biggest sources of emissions in Wicklow which include agriculture, buildings and transport. A climate risk assessment looking at trends in weather events and sea level identifies key risks for Wicklow in the coming decades including coastal erosion, flooding, heatwaves and severe storms.
A summary report of both pieces of research is available on https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Online-Consultation-Hub/Wicklow-County-Council-Climate-Action-Plan
Emer O Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, said: “Wicklow County Council is committed to leading on climate action, transforming how we deliver services to ensure they are implemented with sustainability and an effort to reduce emissions as a guiding principle. We will set an example of how business can continue while achieving targets to reduce emission 51 per cent by 2030 and create a pathway towards net zero for 2050”.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Tommy Annesley, stated: “Climate change is increasingly evident and we need urgent action in order to keep temperature increase below 1.5°. We need an ambitious plan for Wicklow which will lead to a rapid transition away from fossil fuel dependence and ensure that we maintain a vibrant, strong future for the county protecting our communities and protecting our natural resources”.
Climate Change will be the defining challenge that shapes our future. Wicklow has amazing natural resources which we can work with to build a more resilient future for ourselves and the rich biodiversity we live alongside. By collaborating with all members of our local communities and providing them with the necessary support, we can build a vibrant and sustainable future for the county.
Wicklow County Council encourages as many people as possible to contribute to this future by completing our Climate Action Plan https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Online-Consultation-Hub/Wicklow-County-Council-Climate-Action-Plan today.
About Local Authority Climate Action Plans
Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, each local authority is required to prepare a local authority climate action plan for its respective administrative area. The plans will be consistent with the most recent approved climate action plan and national adaptation framework. Each local authority must develop and adopt this plan by March 2024. Once adopted, each plan will be valid for five years.
Local authorities are key drivers in advancing climate policy at the local level. The local authority climate action will help local authorities to address, in an integrated way, the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change adaptation and strengthen the alignment between national climate policy and the delivery of effective local climate action.