Wicklow County Council is delighted to announce that our Climate Action Week is taking place this year, from Wednesday 17^th to Tuesday 30^th September in alignment with Ireland’s fourth Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Week. The SDGs outline a vision for a fairer, healthier and more sustainable future, with ambitions such as ending poverty, achieving gender equality, protecting nature, ensuring decent work and tackling climate change.

SDG Week is open to everyone – individuals, schools, businesses and community groups – and is part of the wider European Sustainable Development Week, running from 18^th September to 8^th  October. More information can be found at https://www.esdn.eu/esdw

This year’s Climate Action Week will feature 30 events across County Wicklow, addressing a variety of environmental topics and highlighting actions from the Wicklow County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. Climate Action continues to be a priority for Wicklow County Council, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and the implementation of the actions outlined in our county’s Climate Action Plan.

Events Highlights include:

• Thursday, 18^th September - Green Business Lunch & Learn at Tulfarris House from 12:30pm to 2pm (registration is required).
• Thursday, 18^th September – The Arklow Climate Innovation Programme will host its third session in person from 2-3pm in the Arklow Arts Centre, focusing on exploring how Arklow as County Wicklow’s decarbonisation zone can address climate challenges.
• Friday, 19^th September - A Business Breakfast meeting will be hosted at The Grid, Charlesland between 9- 10:30am. This event is held in partnership with East Wicklow Business Network. Registration is available through Eventbrite.
• Saturday,  20^th September - A County Wicklow Tidy Towns Forum Event will take place in An Tairseachs Conference room from 9:30 to 5pm. All Tidy Town Groups are invited to attend.
• Sunday, 21^st September – A communal garden network meeting will be held at Jacksmill Forest Garden in Newcastle from 10am to 12:30pm.
• Monday, 22^nd - 30^th September - The Mount Lucas Energy Truck, which will be located on the Prom in Wicklow (Murrough Car Park). Members of the public are welcome to drop in and learn more about retrofits, insulation, air tightness, solar pv, heat pumps and ventilation systems.
• Monday 22^nd -  25^th  September - The energy truck will be open to the public from 3pm to 5:30 pm
• Saturday, 27^th September – A Storm Garden Course will be held in Bray Library with Aoife Munn.
• Saturday, 27^th September - Greystones Climate Action Forum meeting will take place in the Greystones Golf Club. The local community is invited to share knowledge about their Climate Actions. Various groups will be invited to be part of a local Climate Action Forum Committee to create an Action Plan for Greystones.
• Monday 29^th to Tuesday the 30^th September - Wicklow SEC will launch a Solar and Insulation Meitheal, welcoming members of the public to visit  all day the energy truck.
• Thursday the 25^th September - A Community Climate Action Program information & networking event will be held for community groups in Donard Community Hall on from 7pm

Throughout the Week

The Library Service will host various events, including ECO-UNESCO Fast Fashion workshops, SDG-themed arts and crafts, story time sessions, and writing workshops.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, said, “We are proud to launch our Climate Action Week taking place in line with Ireland’s fourth Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Week. With 30 events across the county, there are opportunities for everyone from schools, community groups and businesses, to individuals and families to get involved. These events not only highlight the actions in our Climate Action Plan 2024–2029, but also demonstrate the strength of community collaboration in Wicklow as we tackle climate change. I encourage as many people as possible to take part, to learn, to share ideas and to be inspired to take further action in your homes, communities and workplaces. Together, we can make a real difference”

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O’Gorman, added, “Climate Action is one of the most important challenges of our time, and Wicklow County Council is committed to collaborating  with communities, businesses and individuals to build a more sustainable future. Climate Action Week provides a unique opportunity to showcase the positive projects already underway across the county and to encourage further action. I am particularly pleased to see such a diverse range of events that reflect the ambition of our Climate Action Plan 2024–2029 and the strong partnerships we are building locally to deliver real change. ”

Director of Service for Climate, Environment, Recreation & Amenity Theresa O’Brien, said: Our Climate Action Week aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which provide a clear framework for building a fairer, healthier and more sustainable future. By linking local action in Wicklow to these global goals, we are showing how practical steps – from community projects and education to business innovation – can contribute to real change. I am very proud of the breadth of events taking place across the county and I would encourage everyone to get involved. Together, we can make progress not only on climate action but also on the wider ambitions of the SDGs, from protecting nature to improving wellbeing and supporting thriving communities”.

Further information on these events can be found on Wicklow County Council and Library Service Social Media channels and on our website – www.wicklow.ie