Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the existing climate action responsibilities of local authorities; the devolved powers local authorities have in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44766/20]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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68. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a citywide master plan for carbon reduction exists for Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44866/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 68 together.

Local Authorities deliver key services to the public, either directly or in partnership with Government Departments and agencies. The position of Local Government, as the level of government closest to the citizen, also puts it in an effective position to provide local leadership on climate action through its links to various community networks.

In 2018, my Department entered into a five year financial commitment of €10 million to establish four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs), including the Dublin Metropolitan CARO.

The role of the CARO includes:

- Assisting the Local Authorities within their CARO region  in preparing their own plans to respond to climate change.

- Developing education and awareness initiatives in driving the climate change agenda and contributing to climate dialogue on a local and regional basis.

Each Local Authority in the Dublin Metropolitan CARO has developed a detailed plan outlining the actions they will take in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. Details can be found at:

Under the National Adaptation Framework each local authority has developed and is implementing a local adaptation strategy. Each CARO is working with its Local Authorities to both facilitate and monitor implementation of the strategies’ local climate adaptation actions. 

Under the Climate Action Plan 2019, a Climate Action Charter for Local Authorities was agreed between my Department and the Local Authorities.  The Charter will ensure that every Local Authority embeds decarbonisation, sustainable development and climate resilience into every aspect of their work. 

The Climate Action Bill further strengthens the role of Local Authorities in climate action. It sets out legislative requirements for each Local Authority to produce its own Climate Action Plan (covering both mitigation and adaptation) within eighteen months of the enactment of the Bill, and then subsequently at least once every five years.

To build the necessary capacity, my Department is also engaging with the CAROs in relation to the implementation of a new Local Authority climate action training programme. This programme will increase knowledge of climate change and action among all Local Authority staff, and will facilitate both climate mitigation and adaptation at local level.