COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 08, 2023

QUESTION NO. 26

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the CEO to report on his ongoing actions to deal with the challenges of the climate crisis; will he detail his endeavors to promote the Council's work in that regard among the public and will he furnish a detailed statement?

REPLY:

SDCC's Climate Change Action Plan 2019-2024, sets out measures/actions to reduce our impact on the climate and prepare South Dublin to adapt to the effects of climate change.

Work has commenced on the Climate Action Plan 2024-29 as it is a Statutory Requirement for LAs under the Climate Action and Low Carbon (Amendment) Act 2021. To date;

• Consultant appointed to undertake the Climate Risk Assessment for the four Dublin LAs.
• Procurement being finalised to appoint a Consultant to undertake Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening and Reporting for the CAP.
• Internal Engagement commenced:
• Workshop held with Senior Management
• Workshops scheduled with the Climate Action Groups to review CAP Actions

The statutory Public Engagement Process preliminarily is scheduled for September – November 2023 and early engagement with the Elected Members and SPC Members will be undertaken in June to facilitate discussion on SDCC’s new Climate Action Plan. Statutory Public Engagement Process preliminarily scheduled for September – November 2023.

The plan, which will be ambitious in its targets, is considering actions where the local authority can influence, co-ordinate//facilitate and advocate for climate action in wider society.

In addition to delivering on the targets and actions of the CAP the Climate Team also works with stakeholders across the county to highlight the work we are doing and to inform the citizens of South Dublin of actions they can take at home, in the community and in work to reduce their impact on the climate.

www.southdublinclimate.ie The Council launched a dedicated climate action website in 2022. The site showcases the climate action that the Council are undertaking in the county, with updates on our climate actions, spotlights on our key responses to the climate crisis, and a latest news section on local, regional and national climate change responses. We also want to inspire climate action. As such, the website is also a place for citizens to find out what they can do.

Climate Newsletter: Citizen engagement via the website is complemented by a quarterly citizens climate newsletter, which details current Council climate action on a specific, rotating thematic area. The Climate Team works with the Communications Unit to promote our website news articles and newsletters via our social channels.

Dublin Climate Action Week (DCAW) is delivered regionally in partnership with Fingal County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Dublin City Council, the Climate Action Regional Office (CARO), and Codema, Dublin’s Energy Agency. The week offers a range of events which aim to inform citizens, increase awareness and highlight the need for urgent climate action by all sectors of society.  Events delivered included a Climate Festival in Tymon Park, biodiversity walks in Waterstown Park and Tymon Park, school workshops in Clondalkin and Ballyroan libraries, and a webinar on Sustainable Drainage Systems at home for citizens.

Specific workshops and engagement days are also delivered to communities, 3^rd level, and schools to build climate engagement throughout the year. Furthering citizen engagement, the Council are currently hiring for the role of Community Climate Action Officer, to work with communities in South Dublin to distribute the new Community Climate Action Fund, worth €1,073,000 over three years. This fund is crucial to activate climate action outside of the direct control of the Council to address the wider emissions profile in the county. The fund will be launched in South Dublin in 2023.