COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC REALM AND CLIMATE CHANGE SPC

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

HEADED ITEM NO.

HEADED ITEM: C. Galvin, Darby Mullen

9. Decarbonisation Zone Update

REPLY:

Under the National Climate Action Plan 2019, each Local Authority was required to submit to the DHLGH a potential area suitable as a decarbonising zone, (i.e. to implement a range of measures to reduce carbon by a minimum of 51% by 2030). A circular from the DHLGH (LGSM01-2021) requested each LA to submit a proposal by 30th April, 2021.

Once decarbonising zones are identified each local authority will be tasked with developing DZ implementation plans by the end of Q4 2021 and those plans should be included in their published Climate Action Plans, as required by the Climate Action Act, by such date as specified by the Minister for Environment, Communications and Climate.

As the majority of carbon emissions in the county originate from the burning of fossil fuels for home heating, electricity generation and transport we needed to capture a broad mix across sectors including residential, industrial, commercial, municipal and community to enable SDCC develop a range of strategies whilst adhering to the key principle of ‘just transition’.

Having considered the options, it was established that either Clondalkin or Tallaght would emerge as the most viable SDCC Decarbonising Zone. 

South Dublin is currently working with our energy agency (CoDEMA) to review the Spatial Energy Demand Analysis and select the DZ for the County, this work will include;