Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2020
40. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which his Department is examining the need for increased involvement in local community groups to engage with climate action initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29942/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government recognises that the transformation to a low-carbon, digital economy, requires the mobilisation of every element of Irish society, and will require fundamental changes in how we live our lives.
The Climate Action Bill, which I published last week, strengthens the role of Local Authorities in climate action. It sets out legislative requirements for each Local Authority to produce a Climate Action Plan, on the request of the Minister for Climate Action, within eighteen months of the enactment of the Bill, and subsequently, at least once every five years. These plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies, and Local Authorities will have to liaise with each other and their stakeholders in the preparation of these plans.
Preparation is also underway to develop an effective citizen engagement model which will motivate changes in behaviour, and create structures at local, regional and national levels to support the generation of ideas and their translation into appropriate cost-effective actions. Work on stakeholder engagement is in progress across a number of sectors, and my Department is currently developing a policy paper for the future of this new engagement model which will draw together various initiatives, as well as work by the Environmental Protection Agency, and engagement activities undertaken by Local Authorities and the Climate Action Regional Offices.
Given their close relationship with the community, Local Authorities are uniquely positioned to facilitate effective climate action, and provide local leadership through various community networks, including Age Friendly Ireland, the Public Participation Networks, Tidy Towns and the GAA. Under the new engagement model, Local Authorities will continue to explore options for additional strategic partnerships supporting climate action, and the roll-out of the pilot projects, community workshops and training courses, similar to “Let’s Talk Climate Action” town hall meeting, the “Community-led Climate Action” workshop, and the free ‘Communities 4 Climate Action’ training course, all of which were delivered in late 2019.
