South Dublin County Council has announced that 28 projects have been awarded €1.1 million in funding through the Community Climate Action Programme.
A range of community organisations, from sports clubs to scouts, and charities to social enterprises have been supported to take climate action that has impact.
The Climate Action Fund was established on a statutory basis in 2020 to provide support for projects, initiatives and research that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets. The fund also supports projects and initiatives in regions of the State, and within sectors of the economy, impacted by the transition to a low carbon economy.
The Community Climate Action Programme launched in 2021 and will see €61.5 million from the Climate Action Fund invested in community climate action projects and initiatives, as well as capacity building, over a number of years.
The projects are emblematic of the many faces of climate action. Work will include changing the energy use of facilities from fossil-fuel based sources, like oil and gas, to renewable sources like solar. The insulation of buildings to keep the heat we make is also featured, as is action to support the better management of our resources, by improving how communities deal with waste. Projects also seek to promote active travel, by providing facilities for bikes and scooters, thus helping to reduce journeys made by car, in addition to the provision and reimagining of local green spaces.
With funding coming from the national Climate Action Fund, the Community Climate Action Programme in South Dublin will seek to try to build on the recent downward trend of greenhouse gas emissions in the State. As we work towards the national 2030 climate targets and implement South Dublin County Council’s own Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, these local community projects form a crucial part of the ongoing response.
Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Councillor Baby Pereppadan said:
“Climate action is of critical importance, and it is great to see the first set of community climate action projects now move towards delivery in South Dublin. The projects take action against both the causes of climate change and its impacts and are showing us the way forward. I want to commend everyone’s efforts in seeking to take positive action against climate change”.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan said:
“I am delighted to support these vital local projects under the Community Climate Action Programme, a landmark fund which is making €24 million available to climate action projects across Ireland, alongside a €3 million contribution from the government’s Shared Island Fund. Communities and Local Authorities know best the climate actions that work for their area and can deliver the most effective climate solutions on the ground. I look forward to seeing the transformative effect these projects will have not only in tackling climate change, but in making our cities, towns and villages better places to live and work.”
More information on the South Dublin County Council Community Climate Action Programme is available at: https://www.sdcc.ie/en/climate-action/community-climate-action-programme/
More information on the South Dublin County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 is available at: https://www.sdcc.ie/en/climate-action/climate-action-plan-2024-2029/climate-action-plan-2024-2029.html