Wicklow County Council’s Draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 has been prepared to facilitate the transition of Wicklow County Council’s services and operations to a low carbon resilient future, leading by example and mobilizing engagement countywide. This will be achieved by delivering and promoting best practice in climate action at local level. This aim is aligned to the Government’s overall National Climate Objective, which seeks to pursue and achieve, by no later than the end of 2050, the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.

This Draft Plan has been prepared in accordance with the Local Authority Climate Action Plan Guidelines, published by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in March 2023.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 frames Ireland’s legally binding climate ambition, to delivering a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 51% by 2030. This will place the country on a trajectory to achieving climate neutrality by the end of 2050. It  prescribes that each local authority shall prepare and make a plan relating to a period of five years which shall specify the mitigation and the adaptation measures to be adopted by the local authority on a trajectory to achieving climate neutrality by no later than the end of 2050.

The Climate Action Plan 2023, launched on 21st December 2022, is the second annual update to the States’ Climate Action Plan 2019 and the first to be prepared under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, following the introduction, in 2022, of economy-wide carbon budgets and sectoral emission ceilings. 

The draft plan sets out how Wicklow County Council will be responsible for enhancing climate resilience, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, across its own assets, services, and infrastructure, for which it is fully accountable, whilst also demonstrating a broader role of influencing, advocating, and facilitating other sectors, to meet their own climate targets and ambitions. This is necessary to ensure that the environmental, social, and economic benefits that come with climate action, can be fully realised.

In order to ensure evidence-based climate action planning, which is crucial for addressing the urgent and complex challenges of climate change and is essential for informed decision-making, the following reports were commissioned by Wicklow County Council.

1. A Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) that evaluates the current and future climate related impacts and risks faced by the Local Authority and the community of Co. Wicklow.
2. A Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI) that details the current source of Greenhouse Gasses from Wicklow County Council and across County Wicklow.
3. A specific Decarbonising Zone (DZ) with BEI – A Decarbonising Zone is described as "Spatial area identified by the local authority, in which a range of climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity measures and action owners are identified to address local low carbon energy, greenhouse gas emissions and climate needs to contribute to national climate action targets”. The spatial area of the decarbonising zone for County Wicklow comprises of the town of Arklow.

Strategic Goals

Strategic goals are informed by the key themes that emerged from the issues collated as part of the evidence base and stakeholder engagement processes.

Themes include:

1. Governance & Leadership
2. Built Environment & Transport
3. Natural Environment & Green Infrastructure
4. Communities Resilience & Transition
5. Sustainability & Resource Management

The Goal and objectives of each theme is reinforced by a suite of clear distinct actions which include tracking measures and timeframes for delivery.  

Wicklow County Council Climate Action Team will lead the implementation of the Climate Action Plan and the council will work collaboratively and in partnership with a range of key stakeholders to support its delivery. The adoption of the Local Authority Climate Action Plan is a reserved function and the final plan will be considered by the Elected Members of Wicklow County Council at their meeting in December 2023.

The community of Co. Wicklow remain key stakeholders in the delivery of this ambitious plan and Wicklow County Council welcome submissions/ observations during this public consultation period.

Members of the Climate Action Team will be at Public Consultation Drop-In Clinics to provide guidance on the Draft Climate Action Plan at the following locations:

• Baltinglass Library Tuesday 10th October from 3-5pm
• Blessington Library Tuesday 10th October from 6-8pm
• Arklow Library Tuesday 17th October from 6-8pm
• Bray Library Thursday 19th October from 6-8pm
• Wicklow Library Tuesday 24th October from 6-8pm
• Greystones Library Tuesday 07th November from 6-8pm

Submissions or observations must be made in writing no later than 16:30pm on Wednesday 15th November 2023.

Printed copies of the Draft Local Authority Climate Action Plan may be inspected during public open hours at the following locations:

• At County Buildings, Station Road, Wicklow Town, A67 FW96, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) between the hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm
• Wicklow County Council Libraries (Arklow, Baltinglass Blessington, Bray and Greystones) during their respective normal opening hours.

Making a Submission or Observation

Written submissions or observations can be made in one of three ways:

1. Online via Wicklow County Council Online Consultation Hub Portal below
2. Via Email with “Draft Local Authority Climate Action Plan” in the subject line to climatepolicy@wicklowcoco.ie
3. In writing (marked “Draft Local Authority Climate Action Plan”) to:
   • Climate Action Co-Ordinator, Planning, Development and Environment, Wicklow County Council, Station Road, Wicklow Town, A67FW96.

Submissions or observations must be made in writing no later than 16:30pm on Wednesday 15th November 2023.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Please consider the following in making your submission:

• Submissions should be made using ONE method only i.e. online or in hard copy. 
• Submissions or observations should include your name and address and, where relevant, details of any organisation, community group or company etc. you represent.
• Written submissions or observations with respect to the Draft LACAP, made within the period stated, will be taken into consideration before the making of the LACAP.
• Please ensure that no vexatious, libellous or confidential information, including confidential information relating to a third party (in respect of which the third party has not, expressly, or impliedly in the circumstances, consented to its disclosure) is included.
• All submissions/observations will be subject to the Data Protection Act 1988-2018 and the Freedom of Information Act 2014.