New Climate Action Charter

During Dublin Climate Action Week 2026, Cllr. Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Chair of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) Environment, Climate & Circular Economy Committee, and Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD, signed a new Local Authority Climate Action Charter. 

Speaking after the signing, Cllr. Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said, 

‘The new Charter sets out a shared commitment to continue working in partnership to embed climate action across all the Council’s services and functions, strengthening the positive climate action culture throughout all the Council’s Departments. It also places a strong emphasis on empowering communities, engaging with stakeholders, and fostering innovative solutions at local level. 

The new Charter reinforces Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s commitments to evidence‑based decarbonisation, low‑carbon delivery of public services, green procurement, circular economy principles, and the use of planning and regulatory roles to reduce emissions and manage climate risks.’

Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council noted:

‘Importantly, the Charter underlines the local government sector’s role and commitments in delivering its climate objectives, including a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, net zero emissions by 2050, and a 50% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030, while embedding biodiversity priorities across work programmes. This revised Charter signals a clear and continued intent for collective leadership and collaboration across national and local government to achieve the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.’ 

‘The 2026 Climate Action Charter represents an important declaration by Local Authorities to continue to pursue Climate Action, in the context of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. A lot has changed since the signing of the first Charter in 2019, and both CCMA and the Department are happy to have the opportunity to restate their commitment, and to include Local Authorities’ Climate Action Plans and other targets and goals in this new Charter.’ added Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD. 

The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council signed 2026 Climate Action Charter can be viewed at  https://www.dlrcoco.ie/climate-action-plan-2024