Climate Change Action Plan – Annual Progress Report Published, Focusing on Climate Action, Biodiversity and the Circular Economy

The Council is committed to the annual monitoring and reporting of the Plan. The Plan includes 144 actions, across the five theme areas of Energy & Buildings, Transport, Flood Resilience, Nature Based Solutions and Resource Management. Ongoing citizen and stakeholder engagement are at the heart of the Plan, as the County continues its efforts to contribute to the shared national climate objective, as set out in the Government’s recently published national Climate Action Plan 2023 - Changing Ireland for the Better.

The Council continues to main-stream its efforts and collaborate across departments, staff and elected members, to achieve energy efficiency and emission reductions across its own buildings, facilities, travel, functions and services, and influence climate action in the wider community. This is derived from the Council’s Corporate Plan, a core value of which is ‘Climate First - Adopt a climate first approach to decision making’.

In 2022, the Council advanced its efforts in leading on the transition from a ‘linear’ to a ‘circular’ economy, by being the first local authority in Ireland to sign up to the European Circular Cities Declaration. In doing so, we have joined like-minded local authorities and cities across Europe, who are committed to the need to decouple economic growth from resource use and recognise and share a common vision of a circular economy.

Councillor Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach, said:

I welcome the publication of the third Annual Progress Report, for our DLR Climate Change Action Plan. We continue to focus on the implementation and monitoring of the Plan, in the creation of a climate resilient County, across the areas of climate action, biodiversity and the circular economy. The Government’s recently published national Climate Action Plan 2023 speaks to ambition that will only work if we all come together in a strengthened ‘social contract’ for climate action, working towards real solutions that are meaningful, inclusive, fair and accessible. I wish to acknowledge the ongoing commitment and effort of Council staff, the Environment and Climate Action Strategic Policy Committee and the Elected Members of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

Paul Kennedy, Director of Infrastructure & Climate Change, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council,  said:

"The impacts and risks of climate change are becoming more complex and harder to manage. In implementing and monitoring their Climate Change Action Plans, the four Dublin local authorities, continue to foster a shared approach in addressing climate action and demonstrate ongoing leadership and support for other sectors. This includes a broad range of actions, including those for which we have full accountability, but also those wider actions that we continue to influence, facilitate and advocate for. This is undertaken with the continued support and engagement of a range of partners, including the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Dublin Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) and Codema – Dublin’s Energy Agency."

In accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, each local authority in Ireland is required to make a new Climate Action Plan, that will include both adaptation and mitigation actions. This process is expected to commence formally in March 2023, with the Plans to be adopted by the Elected Members of the Council, following public consultation.

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