Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the work of the climate action regional offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17936/24]
View answerFour Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) were established in 2018 to support local government in responding and adapting to climate change. They operate under a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with my Department until 2023, with €10m of funding allocated.
In July 2023, my Department signed a new SLA with the four host Local Authorities (Cork County, Dublin City, Mayo County and Kildare County) to continue the work of the CAROs in supporting local government to coordinate and deliver climate action up to 2029, with €12m in funding allocated for this purpose.
The CAROs operate as a shared service which provides for a coordinated approach on climate action across the local government sector and a more joined-up approach to responding to the climate crisis at a regional level. Each office works closely with Local Authorities in their region to guide and inform them as they lead transformative change and measurable climate action in areas such as cutting emissions, biodiversity and adaptation.
The CARO Annual Work Programme for 2024 is currently underway and includes seven work packages. A key role for the CAROs in 2024 is to provide a support function to the Local Authorities for the Local Authority Climate Action Plans which have now been adopted in all 31 Local Authorities.
