Find out more about climate action

Climate change is something we're all living with. And we can all take climate action. The government has the biggest job to do, but everyone has an important contribution to make. That's why we're supporting communities to come together and see how climate actions can work for them.

Ireland is at a crucial point in addressing climate change, with a goal to become climate neutral by 2050 and to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Key actions include reducing greenhouse gases, using renewable energy, improving home insulation, changing travel habits, and adopting sustainable lifestyles.

By choosing to take the bus, walk or ride your bike instead of driving, you’re part of the national effort to reduce transport-related emissions by 50% by 2030.

Your Journey Counts.

1. Why your journey counts

We need to shift how we make, use and dispose of stuff. By keeping things in use for as long as possible, repairing, sharing and recycling more, we can prevent waste.

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1. Prevent waste

2. Reuse your stuff

3. Recycle your stuff

Every day from the moment we get up, we are using energy. From taking a shower, to making breakfast, and travelling to work, school or college. Everyday, the decisions we make influence climate change.

By reducing our energy use, we can save money and limit our reliance on imported fossil fuels. Energy saving habits in your home can reduce your carbon footprint.

Start your journey to reduce your use

Solid fuel use is one of the biggest sources of air pollution in our homes and communities. To reduce its effects, we introduced the Item was unpublished or removed in October 2022.

We can all play our part to reduce this form of air pollution and reduce its impact on the health of our communities.

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2. Air quality in your area

The TidyTowns Competition has become Ireland's best-known and most popular local environmental initiative. The competition process involves villages, towns and cities being rated on all aspects of their local environment.

In place since 1958, the competition, administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu, has grown beyond a competition into a national sustainability movement.

Its success benefits towns, villages and communities all over Ireland in real and meaningful ways, making them more attractive and sustainable places for everyone.

Get involved – find your local committee

Local authorities are best placed to work alongside communities and businesses to drive Climate Action at a local level.

They are community leaders, connected to businesses, sports and voluntary organisations in their areas. They have the local knowledge and expertise to work with people to understand the challenges of and solutions to Climate Change.

Local authorities can ensure that Climate Action works for everyone at a local level, so that our cities and counties are sustainable places to live, work, visit and invest in.

Local authorities take climate action across the country with different projects such as urban greening and sustainable energy.

Local Authorities’ Climate Action Plans

Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, local authorities must prepare climate action plans for their areas. These plans will align with the latest national climate action plan and adaptation framework.

Local authorities play a crucial role in advancing climate policy locally. Their climate action plans will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change, and ensure that national climate policy is effectively implemented at the local level.

Dedicated climate teams and Government funding

Each local authority has set up climate action teams and governance structures to deliver their plans effectively. These teams include a dedicated Climate Action Coordinator and Climate Action Officer, funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

The Climate Action Coordinator manages climate action within the local authority, collaborates with other local authorities, and works with regional Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs). They also monitor progress towards targets, enhancing the national evidence base.

The Climate Action Officer supports the Coordinator in designing and implementing climate strategies and policies. They also drive organisational change and build capacity within local authority partnerships to ensure effective delivery.

Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs)

In 2018, four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) were established as a local authority shared service to build capacity within the local government sector to address climate change.

CAROs play a key role in identifying and addressing cross-sectoral climate issues. They are organised regionally to ensure that local authorities with similar characteristics and climate risks work together.

Each lead local authority provides the necessary facilities, IT support, human resources, financial management, and other support for the four regional offices.

A review of CAROs will take place in late 2024 to ensure they are effectively configured to meet their objectives. This review will cover strategic goals, governance, functional areas, and priorities from Local Authority Climate Action Plans.

Community Climate Action Programme

The Community Climate Action Programme will see €60 million from the Climate Action Fund invested in community climate action projects and initiatives, as well as capacity building, over the next 3 years.

This programme supports and empowers communities to create low-carbon, sustainable environments.

The first phase is comprised of 2 strands.

• Strand 1 – Action: Building Low Carbon Communities. €24 million is being provided to local authorities to support communities, large and small, rural and urban, to build low carbon communities in a considered and structured way.
• Strand 2 – Education: Climate Education, Capacity Building and Learning by Doing. A total of €6 million is being provided to build community