With the closing date for submissions for Galway city’s first ever Climate Action Plan (CAP ) closing tomorrow, Friday, September 8, residents have been urged to contribute their thoughts and opinions on how Galway City Council can best transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral economy.
The introduction of Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment ) Act (2021 ) means that Ireland is now on a ‘legally binding path’ to net-Zero emissions by 2050, and a 51 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, the nation’s regional authorities are required to prepare a Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LACAP ), which will run for the next five years.
In February this year, it was announced by the Minister for the Environment that local authorities will have 12 months to prepare and adopt a climate action plan, one which includes both adaption and mitigation measures.
Galway City Council’s website states that the upcoming issues with climate change facing the region has compelled it ‘to take ambitious action’.
“Climate change is one of the biggest risks facing the communities, physical infrastructure, biodiversity and social fabric which make Galway city such a unique place to live. We are compelled to take ambitious action through mitigation (decreasing emissions that cause climate change ) and adaptation (enhancing resilience to climate change impacts and risks ).”
Once introduced the Galway City Council will use the CAP to give insight and help it plan to ‘reduce gas emissions from across its own assets and infrastructure, whilst also taking on a broader role to influence, facilitate and co-ordinate the climate actions of communities and other stakeholders and what it will do to advocate for climate action in Galway city’.
The initial pre-draft consultation period will conclude tomorrow (Friday ). Interested members of the public submit their contribution to the CAP via the link found on galwaycity.ie
