Stillorgan to lead the way on new green initiative

Dublin People 02 Feb 2020
A pictorial of Earth in a pair of hands

A LOCAL councillor has submitted a motion which calls for Stillorgan Village to be recommended for designation as a flagship “decarbonising zone”.

This is a new action outlined for councils to approve in the Government’s recently published Climate Action Plan 2019.

Cllr John Kennedy (FG) said each local authority will be asked to recommend at least one ‘decarbonising zone” to the Department of Housing this year.

“I would like to see Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council being pioneers in this space by making Stillorgan Village the first zone to be implemented nationwide, Cllr Kennedy said.

“My recommendation to the council is to erect vertical installations of moss resembling a civic space bench that could be incorporated in the village realm at a typical modest cost of €25,000.

“These installations would improve air quality by reducing local levels of nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and ozone.

“The council’s executive have indicated that they are willing to explore such installations for Stillorgan Village as have been approved for use in a number of local authorities in the UK such as Westminster City Council, Glasgow City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.

“It is my hope that three such installations could be added at a total cost of approximately €75,000 and reducing 720 metrics tonnes of carbon dioxide within Stillorgan Village per year.”

Cllr Kennedy added: “The latest Stillorgan Movement Framework Plan provides a perfect backdrop for such a ‘decarbonising zone’ to be initiated, as other measures such as additional trees and enhanced facilities for cyclists and pedestrians have already been proposed.

“The Stillorgan Library Upgrade and St Laurence’s housing project are also set to be built with sophisticated high energy performance standards, reducing carbon footprint.”

Cllr. Kennedy concluded: “There is no time like today when it comes to actively initiating projects to reduce carbon footprint.

“I welcome the fact that the Fine Gael-led climate action plan as overseen by Minister Richard Bruton included this action to compel local councils to nominate ‘decarbonising zones’,

“I hope to see such a project started soon in Stillorgan and that its implementation will lead the way for other councils to follow.”

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