Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of local authority climate action plans that have been completed to-date; the details of any engagement his Department has had with Galway City and County Councils in 2024 with regard to the development of their respective local authority climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11058/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal government has a key role to play in implementing mitigation and adaptation measures to meet Ireland’s national climate targets. Local authorities have been given an expanded mandate to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions through the statutory requirement to prepare Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LA CAPs).
The LA CAPs represent a new opportunity to further embed climate mitigation and adaptation at the local level and will enhance Local Authorities’ capacity to lead, coordinate and become agents of change in response to ongoing climate breakdown.
I made a request to each Local Authority to begin preparation of their plans in February 2023 and issued statutory guidelines to support them in this work in March 2023. These plans are due to be adopted in Q1 2024.
I am aware that all Local Authorities have now completed the public consultation process for the LA CAPS and that, to date, 29 of the 31 Local Authorities have formally adopted their plans. I understand that my Department has not had any specific engagement with Galway City or Galway County Councils in relation to the development of their LA CAPs to date in 2024.
