Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
Over 100 submissions were received by Kerry County Council in relation to the Draft Climate Action Plan by the time the public consultation phase of the project expired on December 1.
In addition to previous stakeholder engagement, the views of the public were invited over a six-week period and a number of drop-in information events were held in Killarney, Tralee, Dingle, Listowel and Caherciveen.
The community programme was delivered with the financial support of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication.
€663,000 was allocated to Kerry and is being made available to support community organisations across the county in delivering climate action projects.
The overall objective of the programme is to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way that contributes to national climate and energy targets.
The draft plan for the period 2024 to 2029 outlines the main challenges facing the various sectors in the county in the years ahead and how a collaborative approach to decarbonisation and climate change can be achieved.
Senior Kerry County Council official Paul Neary, said the council plan is in line with national climate action policy and it sets out how the local authority, along with all stakeholders, will tackle the challenges the county faces from climate change.
“The plan specifically addresses mitigation, how we can actively cut harmful emissions and adaptation, and ways in which we can cope with impacts into the future,” he said.
Mr Neary said it is known, for example, that the county is likely to experience increased temperatures, heavier rainfall and more severe winter storms.
“The knock-on effects are already evident. They include increased flooding, coastal erosion but also how we deliver services across the community and likely impacts on our biodiversity and wildlife,” he said.
Kerry County Council’s chief executive’s report on the matter is now being prepared to allow the plan be adopted by the members early in 2024.
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
Eligible community groups can apply for funding across one or possibly more of the
following themes:
- Community and energy
- Travel
- Food and waste
- Shopping and recycling
- Local climate and environmental action
Community Groups who wish to apply for projects under this funding stream or require further information can contact the Community Climate Action Officer.
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