Local Authorities have for considerable time been taking a range of actions across all functions and services to tackle climate change and have a particularly important role in the delivery of both climate mitigation and adaptation. This is reflected in the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act, 2021, which requires each Local Authority to prepare a Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LA CAP), specifying the mitigation and the adaptation measures to be adopted by the Local Authority to achieve a 51% reduction its greenhouse gasses by 2030. It is envisioned that these plans will contribute to Ireland’s legally binding climate ambition to deliver a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030.
The Carlow Local Authority Climate Action Plan sets out how Carlow County Council will be responsible for enhancing climate resilience, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, across its own assets, services, and infrastructure, to which it is fully accountable for, whilst also demonstrating a broader role of inspiring, leading and facilitating, other sectors, to meet their own climate targets and ambitions.
In line with departmental guidelines and statutory obligations, the Elected members of Carlow County Council adopted the Carlow Local Authority Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 at their January 2024 meeting.
Local Authority Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 SEA Documentation
Documentation relating to the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Local Authority Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 is provided below. The purpose of this SEA was to identify, assess, and mitigate potential likely significant environmental effects associated with the Plan, and integrate environmental considerations into the preparation, adoption and implementation of the Plan.
Local Authority Climate Action Plan – AA Documentation
Documentation relating to the Appropriate Assessment (AA) of the Local Authority Climate Action plan 2024 – 2029 is provided below. The purpose of the AA was to identify, assess and mitigate potential significant adverse effects on designated European sites.
Chief Executive’s Report
Pursuant to Section 16 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, notice of the preparation of the Carlow Local Authority Draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, was given on 13th September 2023. Submissions or observations with regard to the Draft Plan and Environmental Reports (Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment) were invited from 13th September 2023 to 25th October 2023 inclusive.
In accordance with the requirements of the Climate (Amendment) Act 2021, this Chief Executive’s Report summarises and details the outcome of the Public Consultation process on the Draft Climate Action Plan.