Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
173. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the role climate action regional offices will have in providing guidance and assistance to local authorities when developing climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21681/21]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 commenced Second Stage in the Dáil last Wednesday 21 April 2021. The Bill will establish a legally binding framework with clear targets and commitments set in law, and provide that the necessary structures and processes are embedded on a statutory basis to ensure Ireland achieves its national, EU and international climate goals and obligations.
The Bill, inter alia, further strengthens the role of Local Authorities in climate action. It sets out legislative requirements for each Local Authority to produce a Climate Action Plan, covering both mitigation and adaptation. These plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies, and Local Authorities will have to liaise with each other in their preparation.
In 2018, my Department entered into a five year financial commitment of €10 million to establish four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs). The CAROs played a key role in coordinating the development of Local Authority Local Adaptation Strategies published in 2019. Each CARO is now working with the Local Authorities in its region to both facilitate and monitor implementation of the local climate adaptation actions within the strategies. My Department is also funding and working with the CAROs in relation to the implementation of a Local Authority climate action training programme to build the necessary capacity in the sector, increasing climate change knowledge and supporting climate action by all Local Authorities. The training will facilitate effective climate mitigation and adaptation actions at local level. The CAROs will continue to provide support to the Local Authorities on climate action. My Department engages regularly with all four CAROs, in particular through participation in the National Local Authority Climate Action Steering Group.
