Local Authorities are at the forefront of climate action and play a significant role in delivering adaptation and mitigation measures at local and community levels. The Climate Action Plan 2019 required each Local Authority to develop proposals to establish a ‘Decarbonisation Zone’ within its functional area. These zones will provide for a range of climate measures to address local low carbon energy, greenhouse gas emissions and climate adaptation needs. 29 out of the 31 Local Authorities have now submitted plans for Decarbonisation Zones.
Section 16 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 requires each Local Authority to prepare a climate action plan, specifying the mitigation and the adaptation measures to be adopted by the Local Authority. Local Authorities will have 12 months to complete their individual plans once requested by the Minister, with the request to be made within 18 months of the coming into operation of the Act.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 mandates that the guidelines for the implementation of Decarbonising Zones are to be incorporated into the statutory guidelines for Local Authority Climate Action Plans.
My Department is currently working closely with the Climate Action Regional Offices, Local Authorities, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to finalise a set of statutory guidelines detailing the approach Local Authorities are to take in the development and implementation of these Local Authority Climate Action Plans.
