Galway County Council has this week launched two public consultation processes which will help to inform the local authority's Climate Action Plan, and a Heritage and Biodiversity Plan for the county.
Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Liam Carroll, launched the consultation process on Monday. The Cathaoirleach welcomed the consultation as “an important step in enabling the voice of all members of the community to be heard to ensure that they can play a part in developing a vision for a sustainable future”.
Liam Conneally, chief executive of Galway County Council, is encouraging people across the county to get involved in the consultation process.
“There are challenges ahead to increase the climate resilience of County Galway and to move towards net zero emissions by 2050, but there are also great opportunities and benefits," Mr Conneally said at the launch. "The preparation of the County Galway Climate Action Plan will assist our county in the identification of strategic climate action policies and the implementation of a roadmap towards net zero emissions. The feedback will help to shape Galway’s future and I would encourage the public to participate so that Galway County Council can deliver the best plans for the people of Galway."
The consultation includes a survey that will help guide Galway County Council in co-creating the Climate Action Plan 2024 - 2029 and the Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2024- 2030.
“The survey will enable citizens and businesses to identify the actions they would like to see in their towns, villages and communities and highlight how the local authority can assist," said Eileen Ruane, director of services.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment ) Act, 2021, requires each local authority in the country to prepare its first Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LA CAP ) by February 24, 2024. This requirement underlines the important role of local authorities in relation to climate action.
The Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2024-2030 will aim to place heritage and biodiversity at the heart of public life in the county. This will be achieved through increasing awareness, participation, enjoyment, knowledge and understanding of our shared heritage to lead to its proper conservation, management and protection.
“It is an opportunity for Galway County Council to engage with our communities, listen to their insights and incorporate their perspectives into the development of these plans," said Liam Hanrahan, director of services for economic development and planning. "I firmly believe that collaboration and inclusivity are key to achieving our shared vision of a sustainable and resilient environment.”
The consultation period lasts until August 25. Hard copies of the survey will be available in libraries, and the council also plans to engage with interested groups and sectors as part of the process.
Submissions can be made on the galway.ie website at galway.ie/ClimateAction-Heritage-BioDiversity-Survey-2023
