Climate Change

Galway County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029  

The Galway County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 was adopted by our elected members on 19th February 2024.The five-year strategy was developed following extensive consultation across the County with young people, community groups, local businesses, elected representatives, staff and other public bodies.  

Supporting the development of renewable energy projects, promoting a circular economy and reducing carbon emissions are amongst the key targets set out in the Plan. 

The Plan provides a roadmap for adapting to weather hazards, such as coastal, river and surface water flooding, coastal erosion, heatwaves and drought, which are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity in line with global trends with a wide range of impacts for County Galway. 

The Plan’s vision around climate action in the areas of energy, built environment, transport, circular economy and land use is driven by individual actions, including a commitment by Galway County Council to reduce its emissions by 51% by 2030. 

The implementation of the Plan will support investment in renewable energy, the circular economy and sustainable transportation, and will create new employment opportunities within the county that will foster economic growth and prosperity. It will also bring co-benefits such as increased energy security and improved public health and will support the vision of a climate-resilient, biodiversity rich and environmentally sustainable county. 

OileáinÁrann (the Aran Islands) have been identified as the Decarbonisation Zone (DZ) for the County. A DZ is a chosen area where local authorities and communities work together to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030 and share learnings with other communities. 

Progress on the County Galway Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 will be monitored by a dedicated team within Galway County Council which will report to and be guided by the Local Authority’s management team, the Climate Action and Biodiversity Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) and Elected Members. 

The Plan is available in Galway County Library branches and online at Galway County Council Local Authority Climate Action Plan 2024-2029_0.pdf and the supporting documents are available at www.galway.ie/ClimateAction. 

Community Climate Action Fund 

In the first round of funding, €762,000 is being made available to support communities in undertaking climate action measures. Applications closed in late February, with Galway County Council receiving 55 applications from groups seeking funding supportfor a range of projects,including the retrofitting of buildings, renewable energy generation, biodiversity enhancement and the circular economy. 

Galway County Council have an independent evaluation committee screening and evaluating the project applications and this process will conclude by early May 2024.  

Following the local evaluation process in GCC, a list of recommended projects will be submitted to the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Communications for consideration.  The current expected date for Ministerial approval is August 2024 (this approval timeline may be subject to delays beyond the control of GCC).   

Upon receipt of the Minister’s approval, GCC will issue a Letter of Offer to the successful community groups setting out the relevant terms and conditions.