Leadership to be at the heart of Tipperary County Council's Climate Action Plan

A presentation ahead of the publishing of draft Tipperary County Council climate change plan was presented at this month’s plenary meeting.

The new Climate Action Coordinator, Clare Lee, spoke to elected members about the work of her office and outlined the next steps for the plan.

Tipperary County Council has until February 2024 to approve a plan.

Risk Assessment

As part of the plan, the council carried out a climate risk assessment for the county. River flooding, drought, windstorms, heavy rain and pluvial flooding were the top five ‘hazards’ to Tipperary. Ms Lee said these things can cause damage to the county’s reputation, finances and social environment. Agriculture came out as the top producer of greenhouse emissions, followed by residential and transport.

The council’s activities accounted for just 2% of the emissions produced. However, central government has mandated a target of a 51% reduction in council emissions.

THE COUNCIL'S PLAN

According to Ms Lee, leadership is a core element of the plan.

“The message from this is we need transformational change and leadership,” said Ms Lee.

She said that the country is divided into four regions for the purpose of climate action. Tipperary is in the eastern and midlands region and must create a climate action plan.

In order to accomplish changes mandated by the central government, Tipperary County Council, a new governance structure.

This includes a new office, a steering group, a new climate action coordinator and officers and engagement with external stakeholders.

External stakeholders include industries, other local authorities, the general public and others.

The role of Tipperary County Council is to advocate, influence, support and leadership. Ms Lee said that other groups and industries have their own targets. But the council is not monitoring those. The council is responsible for lowering its own emissions.

The top three contributors to the council's figure were buildings and facilities (44%), transport (29%) and public lighting (27%).

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

Local Authorities have until February 24, 2024 to adopt a five-year climate action plan.

That plan must incorporate six ‘strategic goals,’ which are leadership and governance, achieving 2030 and 2050 emissions targets, climate resilience and adaptation, mobilise communities and industry and just transition.

Transport emissions will be addressed through local area plans, active travel schemes, EV infrastructure and blue and greenway development.

Buildings will be addressed through regeneration schemes and retrofitting.

Tipperary County Council has been working for a number of years to replace public lighting with more efficient infrastructure.

DECARBONISING ZONE

Tipperary County Council has designated the Lisheen mine and bog areas as the new Mid-Tipperary Decarbonising Zone.

A decarbonising zone is an area where climate change measures can be concentrated and make the area better. This will not only contribute to the overall targets of the county but improve tourism amenities and biodiversity.

In Lisheen, this will include Littleton Labyrinth and Bushcraft Survival Destination Plan.

ENGAGING DEBATE

Following the presentation, councillors were invited to ask questions and raise concerns.

Some councillors were concerned about certain industries, like agriculture being blamed for climate change. Other members were concerned for their children and the future. However, Director of Services for the Environment Section Eamon Lonergan said:

“This will not be a plan that points the finger or plays the blame game. It will be a challenge, but we have good resources and a good team.”

He said he agrees that they have to bring people along and said the council are taking climate change very seriously.

Ms Lee said she was ‘delighted’ by the contributions and said she learned a lot.

Tipperary County Council Chief Executive Joe MacGrath said he was happy to see such an “engaging debate.” He said the presentation laid out a very "significant plan.”

On concerns from the farming community, Mr MacGrath said the council has a good relationship with the agricultural sector, and they are not here to tell anyone what to do.

The plan he said, is about the council “getting its own house in order.”

“It is important that we show leadership,” said Mr MacGrath.

The full draft plan will be published in September.