Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Local government has a key role to play in implementing measures to meet Ireland’s national climate targets. A key reason for Local Authorities responding to climate change is their proximity to citizens and the opportunity to take more of a place-based approach. They are well-placed to respond to climate change and build momentum as the closest connection that citizens and local communities have with Government.

Local Authorities have been given an expanded mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the statutory requirement to prepare Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LA CAPs). The LA CAPs must be consistent with the most recently approved National Climate Action Plan and include both mitigation and adaptation measures.

I made a request to each Local Authority to begin preparation of their plans in February 2023. I issued statutory guidelines to support local authorities in preparing and implementing their LA CAPs in March 2023.

The LA CAPs are due to be adopted in Quarter 1 2024. The provisions of the Climate Act 2021 require that the draft LA CAP is published in a manner considered appropriate by the Local Authority to enable members of the public and other interested parties to engage further in the planning process. All Local Authorities, with the exception of Limerick City and County Council, have completed their LA CAP public consultation. Limerick City and County Council's public consultation is due to end on 5 February 2024.

The table below outlines in tabular form the public consultation dates for each LA CAP: