dlr exceeds its 2020 energy efficiency target, as first Climate Change Action Plan – Annual Progress Report published

One of the four targets set out in the CCAP was the improvement of the Council’s energy efficiency of 33% by December 2020, which has been exceeded. The Council improved its energy performance by 37.2% based on its 2019 return, compared to the baseline year of 2009. This means that dlr has exceeded the 2020 public sector target of 33% energy efficiency, as reported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Monitoring & Reporting (M&R) System.  

Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on many people lives, as well as Council activities, dlr has taken innovative and alternative approaches to deliver some of the actions across the Climate Change Action Plan. For example, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council developed a range of online initiatives and supports with regard to Nature Based Solutions and Resource Management CCAP actions. In the past months and in direct response to COVID-19, the Council has been working in partnership with local stakeholders in a number of areas across the County, to create temporary designs for re-imagined public spaces in villages and provide improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists on streets.

The implementation of the CCAP is an ongoing shared vision across the four Dublin local authorities, Codema – Dublin’s Energy Agency and the Dublin Climate Action Regional Office (CARO), who are working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency and enhance the climate resilience of Dublin as a city region. The Council is also committed to reviewing and monitoring the CCAP, in line with the requirements of the National Adaptation Framework and EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy processes.

An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Una Power said: 

In publishing the Climate Change Action Plan – Annual Progress Report 2020, the Council is demonstrating and showcasing its continued leadership in addressing both the causes and impacts of climate change across our County. By sharing the ongoing progress that the Council is making in achieving energy and climate targets, we wish to share our experiences, and also encourage and inspire other sectors and citizens across the County, to enhance their own climate action efforts. 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’.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Director of Infrastructure & Climate Change, Robert Burns said: ‘The Council is continuing its efforts in mainstreaming climate action across its own buildings, facilities, functions and services. This stems from the Council’s Corporate Plan, a core value of which is ‘Climate First - Adopt a climate first approach to decision-making’. Through the ongoing implementation and monitoring of the Climate Change Action Plan, the Council is committed to building its adaptive capacity by focusing on identifying knowledge gaps, continued cross-sectoral collaboration and focusing on outward knowledge sharing and capacity building’.

The continued implementation of the Climate Change Action Plan 2019-2024, in collaboration with the CARO, Codema and other stakeholders, supported by Government policy, provides for a clear roadmap and co-ordinated approach to enhancing the climate resilience of the Dublin Region, to 2030, 2050 and beyond.