In line with its Local Authority Climate Action Plan (2024 to 2029 ), the council is aiming to improve its energy efficiency by half, compared to 2009 levels, and achieve a 51 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to a 2016-2018 baseline.
Both targets are to be achieved by 2030.
“This policy is not just a statement – it is a call to action,” says director of services, Derek Pender. “All staff members, whether as a team or as individuals, have a role to play in achieving these goals.”
The targets are to be included in officials’ operational decisions, project planning, procurement, and day-to-day activities.
“This policy aligns with national and EU energy goals and reflects our shared ambition to create a cleaner, more energy-efficient Galway city for current and future generations,” says Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council.
The local authority says it will establish a framework for setting and reviewing energy objectives, implement an ISO50001-compliant Energy Management System, and meet all legal and regulatory requirements related to energy use, efficiency, and consumption.
In terms of buying-in goods and services, Galway City County says it will embed energy performance considerations into all procurement processes, and enable design teams to incorporate energy performance improvements into their work.
Last week, City Hall announced it secured €3.4 million in EU funding to run a pilot hydroelectric project to install turbines on the city’s canals. Its new civic offices at Crown Square are being designed to the national NZEB (nearly zero energy building ) requirements, and the international Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED ) gold standard.
Last year, Galway City Council said it intended to lead the way in decarbonising Galway as one of the city’s major greenhouse gas emitters, alongside the University of Galway, University Hospital Galway and a number of industrial operations.
Residential and transport emissions are thought to be the main sources of pollution across the entire city, and a pilot ‘Decarbonisation Zone’ has been established for an area including parts of Newcastle, Rahoon, Shantalla and Westside. Its aim is to halve car journeys, retrofit 60 per cent of houses and 50 per cent of apartments, and increase public transport usage, among other targets, such as solar panel installations, replacing gas with biomethane, and reducing electricity consumption.
In February, a Warm Home Hub was opened in Westside Community Centre to provide free consultancy on house retrofitting, and advise on financial grants available.
Funded by Coimisiún na Meán’s Local Democracy scheme.
