Laois County Council Draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029

Draft Local Authority Climate Action Plan 2024 – 2029

Section 14(B) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, as amended by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021

Laois County Council is preparing a Local Authority Climate Action Plan.

We are looking for your input into our Local Authority Climate Action Plan. Help us shape appropriate actions to facilitate and enable effective climate action at a local and community level. Our Plan is currently in draft.

Local Authorities have been at the forefront of climate action in Ireland for many years. They have, and currently, play a significant role in delivering both mitigation and adaptation measures at local and community levels.

Purpose of the Plan:

• To deliver on national obligations to achieve the National Climate Objective of becoming a Climate Resilient, Biodiversity Rich, Environmentally Sustainable and Carbon Neutral Economy by no later than the end of 2050.
• To deliver and promote evidence-based and integrated climate action by way of adaptation and mitigation measures, centered around a strong understanding of the role and remit of the local authority on climate action.

Adaptation means anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimise the damage they can cause, and / or taking advantage of opportunities that may arise.
Examples: flooding defences; green infrastructure & ecosystem services; disaster management & business continuity; sustainable land use & urban planning; biodiversity management; water use efficiency; water resource management.
Mitigation means making the impacts of climate change less severe by preventing or reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere.
Examples:  energy use & GHG emission reduction activities; energy efficient buildings; increase use of renewable energy sources (solar, wind); sustainable transport; carbon sequestration; carbon capture with utilisation; waste reduction.
 

Changing Climate
Our climate is changing in line with global trends. We are experiencing warmer temperatures. As a result of higher average temperatures, we are also experiencing more intense weather events including droughts, storms, heavy rainfall, and stronger winds resulting in higher vulnerability and risk to the impacts of climate change within the local authority area. To tackle climate change, the level of greenhouse gases entering and already in our atmosphere need to be reduced and removed. In addition, we must further increase our resilience to current and future climate change impacts. As part of global and national efforts, we must meet the National Climate Objective 2050. Our Climate Action Plan will set out how the local authority aims to achieve its role within the National Climate Objective over the next 5 years and beyond toward 2050. It will act as a key instrument that strengthens the links between national and international climate policy and the delivery of effective climate action at local and community levels, through place-based climate action. 
 

What will the Climate Action Plan include:

• Targeted actions for areas where local authorities have full accountability for climate action within their own operations.
• Actions for where local authorities can influence businesses, communities, and individuals in the delivery of local climate action through the functions and services they provide.
• Actions for where local authorities can coordinate and facilitate local and community action bringing together stakeholders in partnership to achieve climate action related projects.
• Actions aligned to the local authority’s role as advocate on climate action through raising awareness, communicating, informing, and engaging in open dialogue on the topic.

What will the Climate Action Plan Not include: 

• While the Climate Action Plan will be ambitious to reflect the leadership role of local government on climate action the Plan will not include actions that fall outside the role and remit of the local authority.

Laois County Council has put its Draft Climate Action Plan out for public consultation. The draft Laois County Council Climate Action Plan covers the period 2024-2029. The Draft Climate Action Plan sets out how the local authority can promote a range of mitigation, adaptation and other climate action measures, to help deliver the Government’s National Climate Objective to achieve, by no later than the end of 2050, a transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.

The Draft Climate Action Plan is accompanied by an Environmental Report, prepared in accordance with the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 435 of 2004 as amended by S.I. 200 of 2011) for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) Natura Impact Report, pursuant to Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC.

A copy of the Draft Climate Action Plan and associated documents is available to view online at https://consult.laois.ie/

The Draft Climate Action Plan may be inspected during public opening hours from Wednesday, 1^st November 2023 until Thursday, 14^th December 2023 inclusive, at the following location:

Áras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise  R32 EHP9

At the following Public Libraries during normal opening hours:

Mountmellick Library, O'Moore St, Townparks, Mountmellick, Co. Laois R32 PX61

Portarlington Library, 2 Main St, Cooltederry, Portarlington, Co. Laois, R32 F9WF

Abbeyleix Library, Market House, Market Square, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois R32 CY65

Portlaoise Library, 23 Lower Main Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois R32 N7EP

Making a Submission or Observation

Written submissions or observations regarding the Draft Climate Action Plan, SEA Environmental Report and AA Natura Impact Report, are invited from members of the public and other interested parties. Submissions or observations may be made in one of three ways:

1. Online via the Councils Public Consultation Portal at https://consult.laois.ie/
2. Via Email with “Draft Local Authority Climate Action Plan” in the subject line to climateaction@laoiscoco.ie
3. In writing (marked “Draft Local Authority Climate Action Plan”) to:

Climate Action Co-ordinator, Áras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, R32 EHP9

Submissions or observations must be made in writing no later than 4pm Thursday, 14^th December 2023.  Late submissions will not be accepted.

Please consider the following in making your submission:

1. Submissions should be made using ONE method only i.e. online or in hard copy. 
2. Submissions or observations should include your name and address and, where relevant, details of any organisation, community group or company etc. you represent.
3. Written submissions or observations with respect to the Draft Climate Action Plan, made within the period stated, will be taken into consideration before the making of the Climate Action Plan.
4. Please ensure that no vexatious, libelous or confidential information, including confidential information relating to a third party (in respect of which the third party has not, expressly, or impliedly in the circumstances, consented to its disclosure) is included.
5. All submissions/observations will be subject to the Data Protection Act 1988-2018 and the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Public Information Drop-in Events:

Council staff will be available during these times to provide guidance on the Draft Climate Action Plan and on the consultation process, you are welcome to come along to:

If you require more details, please contact the Climate Action Section at 057 8664265 or email climateaction@laoiscoco.ie

Signed:           Donal Brennan, Director of Services  

Date:                26/10/2023