The Programme for Government recognises that we all have a part to play to achieve our climate goals. We need to ensure that citizens and communities are informed, engaged, and able to contribute to delivering on climate action.
In May of this year, my Department held a series of climate conversations, including a broad public consultation where we heard from 4,000 people, communities and organisations capturing their views on the climate challenge, how empowered they are to act to combat climate change, and what Government needs to do to make it easier to live in a sustainable way. The results of that conversation are informing the Climate Action Plan 2021.
Following a pilot in 2017 – 2019, a revised structure for the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) is being finalised and will be published in the coming months. The National Dialogue will set out how we will engage in a two-way conversation with the public. We will be doing this through large national stakeholder forums, national and local climate conversations, and funding innovation at the local level.
My officials have also approached colleagues in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to discuss how the broadcast sector can contribute to promoting national climate awareness and engagement.
