Climate ACTION nEWSLETTER
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL
May 2024
In This Edition
Clare Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 Published
Community Climate Action Programme Update
Local Authority Climate Action Plan Launch Event in County Clare
Sustainable Energy Webinars
Green for Business
Climate Action in Focus
Climate News and Events
Welcome to the Clare Climate Action Newsletter
Welcome to Clare County Council’s first Climate Action Newsletter. These newsletters will be published on an biannual basis and will provide updates on climate action in the county, information on upcoming climate events and guidance to support residents, communities and businesses.
The Climate Action Newsletter can be viewed and downloaded on the Climate Action Engagement Page.
Clare Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 Published
A significant milestone in Clare County Council’s commitment to climate action has been achieved as Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Cooney and Chief Executive Pat Dowling officially launched Clare County Council’s Climate Action Plan 2024-2029.
The Climate Action Plan aims to position County Clare as a national leader in climate action and strengthen the delivery of effective climate action at local and community levels, through place-based climate action.
The actions of the plan not only look at how Clare County Council can transform its own operations and services, but also addresses what other organisations the Council can partner with and what supports it can give to local communities and individuals.
Key Facts Clare Climate Action Plan
The plan will help Clare County Council reduce emissions by 51% by 2030
Over 400 public submissions informed the plan’s development
The plan comprises 120 actions across five thematic areas
Community Climate Action Programme Closed for Applications
Applications for the Community Climate Action Programme opened in December and closed at the end of February, with an announcement on the status of applications expected in the coming months.
The Community Climate Action Programme aims to support and empower communities, in partnership with Clare County Council, to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way to contribute to national climate and energy targets.
The Programme aims to support small and large, rural and urban communities to take positive climate action. This Programme supports direct engagement with communities to both promote and assist in the scale up of community climate action from the respective starting points of the communities.
Alan Farrell, Director of Service, Physical Development,Clare Co Co, Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Morgan Lahiffe, Climate Action Coordinator, Clare Co Co with the Clare Climate Action Plan
Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Cooney, Clare Co Co, Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Liam Conneally, Chief Executive Galway County Council and
member of the CCMA CATCEN Committee
Stephen Lahiffe, Senior Engineer, Clare Co Co delivers overview of Lahinch Rock Armour Climate Adaptation Project
Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications addresses local authority climate action delegates at the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis
Minister Ryan launches all 31 Local Authority Climate Action Plans in County Clare
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, attended the official launch event for the Local Authority Climate Action Plans in the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, County Clare.
The launch also served as a networking event for the local authority staff who have been writing the climate plans. It included a day of study visits to interesting climate projects in County Clare and gave the participants the opportunity to meet colleagues across all local authorities and share learning and experiences.
Sustainable Energy Bitesize Webinars
Clare County Council’s Climate Action Team in collaboration with Tipperary Energy Agency, as part of the Remarkable Project, recently delivered a two-part series of 30-minute bitesize energy webinars providing an introduction to Solar Energy and Anaerobic Digestion. The recordings of each webinar can be accessed below.
Introduction to Solar Energy
Introduction to Anaerobic Digestion
Greener Clare
Greener Clare is Clare County Council’s brand covering our work across climate action, biodiversity and environmental awareness. Greener Clare supports promoting awareness across the issues of environment, climate and biodiversity.
Daily posts are published across the Greener Clare social media accounts highlighting ongoing projects, events and updates in the areas of climate, biodiversity and environmental protection.
Follow Greener Clare on Social Media
Facebook
Instagram
X (Twitter)
Greener Clare Highlight
Green for Business
Green for Business is a free programme that helps small businesses take the first step towards becoming more sustainable, giving you access to a green consultant who’ll show you the small changes that can have a big impact on your company. Apply now if you would like to see:
- Increased cost savings
- Improved resource efficiency (e.g. using less energy, water & materials)
- Reduced environmental footprint & greenhouse gas emissions
- Opportunities for higher & additional value on products & services
Climate Action In Focus Each Newsletter will provide a deep dive into an action from the Clare Climate Action Plan 2024-2029.
What is Green Public Procurement
Green Public Procurement (GPP) is a process where public authorities seek to source goods, services or works with a reduced environmental impact.
Benefits of This Action
By using environmentally friendly practices and materials, Clare County Council can reduce their environmental impact. This can save both energy and money, as well as improve air quality and protect against water shortages.
Learn More
Watch this 2-minute video from the EPA to learn the basics about Green Public Procurement.
Green Public Procurement
Action G2.5 Develop Green Public Procurement (GPP) Strategy to ensure GPP is mainstreamed through all sections of Clare County Council.
Theme: Governance
Area: Mitigation and Adaptation
Climate Action News and Updates
- Clare County Council’s Climate Action Steering Committee has been established and met this February. The group will oversee progress of the Climate Action Plan 2024-2029.
- A Clare Climate Action Engagement Page has been created where stakeholders can access the climate action plan, recorded webinars, newsletters and provide suggestions for further climate action.
- Clare County Council have completed the 2023/2024 Reduce Your Use campaign as part of this a host of tips and resources can be found on the Reduce Your Use Engagement Page.
- The Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) National Conference took place in Clare in April, with representatives from climate action teams across the country meeting in Clare to discuss implementation of the Local Authority Climate Action Plans.
- Clare County Council’s Procurement Team have commenced the development of a Green Public Procurement Strategy, this follows the publication of the Government’s Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027.
Ongoing Consultations
Consultation on the Revised Energy Poverty Action Plan (Closes May 8th)
Recent Publications