COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
QUESTION NO. 6
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive would he issue a detailed report on a clear plan on how SDCC are planning to implement their 51% reduction in emissions in Clondalkin by 2030 as per the Decarbonising Zone aim in the Clondalkin Framework plan?
REPLY:
Under the National Climate Action Plan 2023, every Local Authority is required to establish a Decarbonising Zone (DZ) within its administrative area. A DZ creates a platform for SDCC and the local community to collaborate on reducing carbon emissions by testing a range of innovative mitigation and adaptation actions, while maximising the potential benefits for the area.
As mentioned, Clondalkin has been designated by SDCC as its Decarbonising Zone, with a target of reducing emissions by 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels.
In 2025, SDCC work on developing the Implementation Plan for the DZ continued and significant stakeholder engagement was carried out across the Clondalkin area through surveys, attendance at local events, and consultation workshops.
While this work finished in the Q3 2025 the Climate Action Team is now finalising this Implementation Plan, which will identify a range of opportunities and actions for the DZ, setting out a clear plan.
In the meantime, SDCC is advancing a number of initiatives, including:
- Continue with the upgrade of public lighting (79% now complete across SDCC)
- Social housing retrofit programme
- Deliver a pilot of the EnergyCloud initiative in Clondalkin DZ
- Climate Innovation Programme (in partnership with TCD and MTU) delivered in 2025 (offered free sustainability training for local businesses)
- Bike Libraries – progressing, with an aim to establish in 2026.
- Bike sharing scheme
- Energy education programme – will begin offering this to communities in the DZ in 2026
- Bawnogue District Enhancement Scheme
It is expected to bring the DZ Implementation Plan to the Environment, Public Realm and Climate Change SPC in spring of 2026 and we look forward to working with the Clondalkin community to deliver on this plan.