Date: 10^th November 2023

Climate Change has been identified as the most pressing long-term global challenge of our time. National and local governments are increasingly required to take ambitious action to decrease greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change (mitigation) and increase resilience to climate change impacts and risks (adaptation).  This is reflected in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act, 2021, which requires each Local Authority to prepare its 1st Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LA CAP) by the 24th of February 2024.

Earlier this year, Galway County Council invited input from the public to co-create our draft Galway County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 which includes actions that will facilitate and enable effective climate action at a local and community level. The draft Plan is now open for public consultation for a one-month period until the 10th of December 2023.

Cllr Liam Carroll – Cathaoirleach Galway County Council with (l-r) Rebecca Mooney – Climate Action Officer, Galway County Council, Liam Conneally – Chief Executive Galway County Council, Tina Ryan – Climate Action Co-ordinator, Galway County Council and Denise Feeney – Community Climate Action Officer, Galway County Council at the launch of the Galway County Council Draft Climate Action Plan.

The Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Liam Carroll, welcomed the consultation noting that the draft plan “reflects our collective resolve to protect our environment, support our communities, and ensure a prosperous and sustainable future”.

Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, noted that “There are challenges ahead to increase the climate resilience of County Galway and to move towards net zero emissions by 2050 however there are also great opportunities and benefits. The draft Plan outlines our vision of a climate-resilient, biodiversity-rich and sustainable economy which will help to ensure a prosperous and safe future for all those who live, work, and visit our County.”

Eileen Ruane, Director of Services, would like to thank all those who were involved in developing the actions in the draft Plan including community organisations, business representatives, elected representatives, public bodies, youth groups and individuals.

Submissions or observations on the draft Plan are invited from the public and any interested parties.  All written submissions or observations will be taken into consideration before finalising the Plan.

Copies of the draft Plan and accompanying environmental reports can be inspected at the following locations:

• Online at https://www.galway.ie/ClimateAction
• Galway Public Libraries – An Cheathrú Rua, Athenry, Ballinasloe, Clifden, Galway City, Loughrea, Oranmore, Portumna, Tuam (please check locally for opening hours)
• Galway County Council Office, Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway

Submissions may be made as follows:

1. Online via https://www.galway.ie/ClimateAction or via the below QR code:
2. In writing to the Climate Action Unit, Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway, H91 H6KX, marked ‘Galway County Council Draft Local Authority Climate Action Plan’.

For further information on the draft Climate Action Plan please contact Tina Ryan / Rebecca Mooney from our Climate Action Unit at [email protected]

Galway County Council will be opening a Community Climate Action Fund in the coming months. This will be made available to organisations and community groups interested in developing projects and initiatives related to the challenge of addressing climate change. The Council is developing an application process which will be available through our website once the fund is opened.

For further information on the Community Climate Action Fund, please contact Denise Feeney, Community Climate Action Officer at [email protected]

Members of the public and interested groups are invited to meet the Climate Action Team to discuss the plan and the upcoming Climate Action Fund at the following locations: