Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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173. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will arrange for the appropriate official within the Department to make contact with a school (details supplied) to organise a discussion on greenwashing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11023/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department leads out on a number of policy initiatives which aim to address the challenge of greenwashing.

A central pillar of the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) is increasing awareness of climate change based on evidence and promoting climate literacy and improving people’s capacity to act.

€230,000 is provided in annual funding to An Taisce to run the Green-Schools Programme which operates in over 94% of schools nationwide and promotes climate literacy from a young age in a engaging and interactive way, as well as providing participants with practical tools to make changes in their daily lives and involve them in delivering solutions in their communities.

At the centre of the Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy is the ambition to raise awareness among households, businesses and individuals about the circular economy and how it can improve their lives, and the provision of supports to businesses and enterprises to become more sustainable.

An official from my Department would be happy to accept the invitation to engage on these policy areas and will contact the school to make the necessary arrangements.