Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2019
1023. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent on campaigns to raise awareness of climate change and promote environmentally friendly practices in an effort to counteract climate change in each year since 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12815/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's remit covers climate action, including efforts to reduce emissions in the energy sector. Given the importance of sustained action to address climate change, my Department and agencies under its aegis invest in awareness-raising campaigns to promote environmentally friendly practices. These support individual citizens, businesses, and the public and private sectors in reducing their emissions. Since 2014 almost €17m has been spent on a variety of awareness raising campaigns. The information requested is outlined in tabular format:
|
Year |
Departmental Environment Fund Expenditure |
Department Vote Expenditure |
EPA Expenditure |
SEAI Expenditure |
Total Expenditure |
|
2014 |
€0 |
€0 |
€2,752,450 |
€540,197 |
€3,292,647 |
|
2015 |
€0 |
€0 |
€2,272,250 |
€102,693 |
€2,374,943 |
|
2016 |
€12,995 |
€0 |
€2,989,500 |
€120,058 |
€3,122,553 |
|
2017 |
€112,861 |
€0 |
€3,164,450 |
€258,585 |
€3,535,896 |
|
2018 |
€165,434 |
€30,414 |
€3,229,750 |
€1,045,397 |
€4,470,995 |
|
2019 |
€55,151 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€55,151 |
|
Total 2014-2019 |
€346,441 |
€30,414 |
€14,408,400 |
€2,066,930 |
€16,852,185 |
Departmental expenditure from the Vote and from the Environment Fund on climate change awareness includes:
- initiatives under the National Dialogue on Climate Action, including Regional Gatherings and the Green Schools Climate Change Action and Awareness Programme delivered by An Taisce;
- sponsorship of the Tidy Towns 'Our Community Climate Action Award;' and
- funding for the development of a Science and Technology in Action lesson plan on climate change, part of a set of resources developed for secondary schools.
SEAI expenditure includes:
- campaigns to promote home energy grant schemes from 2014 to 2018;
- an energy awareness campaign conducted in Autumn 2018;
- promotion of Accelerated Capital Allowances available to businesses for energy efficient products; and
- promotion of the annual SEAI Energy Show.
The EPA participates in significant outreach and communications activities as part of its remit to promote environmental awareness and education, including the provision of funding for the following programmes:
- Green Business programmes, including Green Hospitality, the Carbon Disclosure Project, IBEC collaboration, SMILE, and business awards;
- Green Healthcare;
- Stop Food Waste;
- Smart Farming;
- Sustainable Communities/Homes;
- The Local Authority Prevention Network (LAPN); and
- Reuse Networks and Exchanges, including The Wheel.
