Development of Local Authority Climate Action Plan
Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act (2021) requires local authorities to prepare a Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LACAP) to meet national emission reductions targets and develop resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Formal instruction was given by Minister Eamon Ryan on the 24th February 2023 for each local authority to begin the process of developing their LACAP. A 12-month timeframe has been given for the completion of this plan, and thus work is steadily underway to form a plan.
The LACAP will detail how the county council plans to not only mitigate climate change (i.e., reduce greenhouse gas emissions) but also adapt to it (i.e., manage risks posed by sea level rise, increase in storms and flooding).
Developing this plan will require engagement with communities and stakeholders to ensure risks, concerns and opportunities are identified and included in the plan. There will also be an opportunity for individuals, community groups and stakeholders to review the draft plan, and it is expected that this will be open to submissions in Autumn 2023.
Part of the LACAP will be to provide a plan for the Sligo Decarbonisation Zone (DZ). This initiative will seek to identify & implement various ways of decarbonising all aspects of our lives - further details will be made available soon. The Local Authority intends to work with everyone within the DZ, from house holders & local businesses, to community groups & multinationals.
Public engagement on the Sligo County Council Climate Action Plan will commence on 21st July for a period of four weeks and a link to the questionnaire that is being provided to facilitate engagement can be found at consult.sligococo.ie
View More information on the overall LACAP process