Kildare County Council is preparing a Local Authority Climate Action Plan.
We’re looking for your input into our Local Authority Climate Action Plan. Help us shape appropriate actions to facilitate and enable effective climate action at a local and community level. Our Plan is currently in draft, and the final version is scheduled to be adopted by our Elected Members on 18th December, 2023.
Local Authorities have been at the forefront of climate action in Ireland for many years. They have, and currently, play a significant role in delivering both mitigation and adaptation measures at local and community levels.
Purpose of the Plan:
To deliver on national obligations to achieve the National Climate Objective of becoming a Climate Resilient, Biodiversity Rich, Environmentally Sustainable and Carbon Neutral Economy by no later than the end of 2050.
To deliver and promote evidence-based and integrated climate action by way of adaptation and mitigation measures, centered around a strong understanding of the role and remit of the local authority on climate action.
Adaptation means anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimise the damage they can cause, and / or taking advantage of opportunities that may arise.
Examples: flooding defences; green infrastructure & ecosystem services; disaster management & business continuity; sustainable land use & urban planning; biodiversity management; water use efficiency; water resource management. Mitigation means making the impacts of climate change less severe by preventing or reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere.
Examples: energy use & GHG emission reduction activities; energy efficient buildings; increase use of renewable energy sources (solar, wind); sustainable transport; carbon sequestration; carbon capture with utilisation; waste reduction.
Changing Climate
Our climate is changing in line with global trends. We are experiencing warmer temperatures with the past 8 years the hottest on record. As a result of higher average temperatures, we are also experiencing more intense weather events including droughts, storms, heavy rainfall, and stronger winds resulting in higher vulnerability and risk to the impacts of climate change within the local authority area. To tackle climate change, the level of greenhouse gases entering and already in our atmosphere need to be reduced and removed. In addition, we must further increase our resilience to current and future climate change impacts. As part of global and national efforts, we must meet the National Climate Objective 2050. Our Climate Action Plan will set out how the local authority aims to achieve its role within the National Climate Objective over the next 5 years and beyond toward 2050. It will act as a key instrument that strengthens the links between national and international climate policy and the delivery of effective climate action at local and community levels, through place-based climate action.
What will the Climate Action Plan include:
Targeted actions for areas where local authorities have full accountability for climate action within their own operations.
Actions for where local authorities can influence businesses, communities, and individuals in the delivery of local climate action through the functions and services they provide.
Actions for where local authorities can coordinate and facilitate local and community action bringing together stakeholders in partnership to achieve climate action related projects.
Actions aligned to the local authority’s role as advocate on climate action through raising awareness, communicating, informing, and engaging in open dialogue on the topic.
What will the Climate Action Plan Not include:
While the Climate Action Plan will be ambitious to reflect the leadership role of local government on climate action the Plan will not include actions whereby their implementation and achievement fall outside the role, remit, and governance of the local authority.
Process and Timeline for Development of the Climate Action Plan
Local authorities were requested to commence development of their Climate Action Plans on 24th February 2023. The local authority will adhere to the Climate Action & Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Local Authority Climate Action Plan Guidelines in developing their Climate Action Plans.
Local authorities will undertake and complete emission baseline inventories and a climate change risk assessment for the local authority area.
The local authority will undertake stakeholder engagement activities to help inform the development of the Plan.
The local authority will develop a draft Climate Action Plan and will undertake a consultation period inviting interesting parties to make a submission to the Plan.
The local authority will complete a Strategic Environment Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the Climate Action Plan.
Each local authority has 12 months to develop and adopt their Climate Action Plan. The Plan must be adopted by its Elected Members before 23rd February 2024.
How to Make a Submission
You can make your submission online or by post. All submissions must be received before 4pm on Friday, 3rd November 2023. We cannot accept late submissions. Everyone is welcome to make a submission (including youth groups, children and those representing children) at public consultation stage of the Kildare County CouncilClimate Action Plan.
Are focused on one or more of the key themes of interest to you. It does not have to be on all issues.
Include your name and address.
The content of your submission may be published as part of the plan-making process. When making a submission you should give careful consideration to any personal information about yourself or others that you disclose. This is an open and public process and all parties have a right to view submissions and personal information therein. At all times Kildare County Councilwill comply with GDPR Guidelines
Stay Informed
You can keep updated on the progress of the Climate Action Plan through:
Kildare County Council Climate Action Plan
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Kildare County Council is preparing a Local Authority Climate Action Plan.
We’re looking for your input into our Local Authority Climate Action Plan. Help us shape appropriate actions to facilitate and enable effective climate action at a local and community level. Our Plan is currently in draft, and the final version is scheduled to be adopted by our Elected Members on 18th December, 2023.
Local Authorities have been at the forefront of climate action in Ireland for many years. They have, and currently, play a significant role in delivering both mitigation and adaptation measures at local and community levels.
Purpose of the Plan:
Adaptation means anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimise the damage they can cause, and / or taking advantage of opportunities that may arise.
Examples: flooding defences; green infrastructure & ecosystem services; disaster management & business continuity; sustainable land use & urban planning; biodiversity management; water use efficiency; water resource management.
Mitigation means making the impacts of climate change less severe by preventing or reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere.
Examples: energy use & GHG emission reduction activities; energy efficient buildings; increase use of renewable energy sources (solar, wind); sustainable transport; carbon sequestration; carbon capture with utilisation; waste reduction.
Changing Climate
Our climate is changing in line with global trends. We are experiencing warmer temperatures with the past 8 years the hottest on record. As a result of higher average temperatures, we are also experiencing more intense weather events including droughts, storms, heavy rainfall, and stronger winds resulting in higher vulnerability and risk to the impacts of climate change within the local authority area. To tackle climate change, the level of greenhouse gases entering and already in our atmosphere need to be reduced and removed. In addition, we must further increase our resilience to current and future climate change impacts. As part of global and national efforts, we must meet the National Climate Objective 2050. Our Climate Action Plan will set out how the local authority aims to achieve its role within the National Climate Objective over the next 5 years and beyond toward 2050. It will act as a key instrument that strengthens the links between national and international climate policy and the delivery of effective climate action at local and community levels, through place-based climate action.
What will the Climate Action Plan include:
What will the Climate Action Plan Not include:
Process and Timeline for Development of the Climate Action Plan
How to Make a Submission
You can make your submission online or by post. All submissions must be received before 4pm on Friday, 3rd November 2023. We cannot accept late submissions. Everyone is welcome to make a submission (including youth groups, children and those representing children) at public consultation stage of the Kildare County Council Climate Action Plan.
To make a submission online, please go to:
Kildare County Council Climate Action Plan | Kildare County Council (kildarecoco.ie)
You can also post your written submission to:
Climate Action Coordinator, Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co. Kildare W91 X77F.
How to Write a Helpful Submission
Please write submissions that:
The content of your submission may be published as part of the plan-making process. When making a submission you should give careful consideration to any personal information about yourself or others that you disclose. This is an open and public process and all parties have a right to view submissions and personal information therein. At all times Kildare County Council will comply with GDPR Guidelines
Stay Informed
You can keep updated on the progress of the Climate Action Plan through:
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