Leitrim County Council publishes its Climate Action Plan 2024 - 2029

Leitrim County Council have published their Climate Action Plan 2024 – 2029. Leitrim County Council have prepared the plan to set out how the local authority can help tackle climate change and promote a range of mitigation and adaptation climate action measures.

The plan aims to help deliver on the national climate obligations and the Government’s overall National Climate Objective, to pursue and achieve, by no later than 2050; the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.

The plan has been prepared in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.
The Climate Action Plan proposes actions through mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity enhancement. There is a Decarbonising Zone around the town of Carrick-on-Shannon which is a test bed of what is possible for place-based decarbonisation and climate action at local and community levels, to help support and realise national climate ambition.

Speaking on the Leitrim Climate Action Plan, Leitrim’s interim Chief Executive Mr. Joseph Gilhooly welcomed the plan saying: "It is very much focused on Leitrim County Council delivering on its responsibilities including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 51% by 2030, which is challenging given we are already half-way through the decade.

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"The Climate Action Plan is designed to prepare the Council and those it serves to become environmentally sustainable and climate resilient over the life of the plan."

Mr. Gilhooly further commented: "The Council are already leading on measures such as emergency response, flood alleviation, infrastructural provision, sustainable transport, protecting the natural environment, energy efficiency, and retrofitting of social housing.

"This plan puts in place actions that build on these functions in a coherent and structured way to ensure we lead on our obligations."

Councillor Justin Warnock commended the plan stating: "This document represents a roadmap for Leitrim, and it is a guide to deliver real change from the bottom up by empowering all actors at a local level. It’s important that all of us representing Leitrim County Council take ownership of the actions required to transition to the challenge presented by climate change.

"The Elected Members in partnership with the Executive of Leitrim County Council have committed to achieving the national targets for public sector emission reduction and this was demonstrated by adopting the plan in February 2024."

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Councillor Warnock added: "There are many benefits of climate action such as the creation of green jobs, improved quality of environment, community solidarity, enhanced biodiversity, improvement public transport and sustainable mobility, a more circular use of goods and materials and these are things everybody can buy into for sense of shared purpose."

Leitrim’s Climate Action Plan can be viewed through the Leitrim County Council website at www.leitrimclimateaction.ie or in the libraries throughout the county on request. If you have any queries, please contact the Climate Action Team via email on climateaction@leitrimcoco.ie