Climate Change Mitigation means reducing climate change by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere.  Greenhouse gas emissions are mostly produced from the burning of fossil fuels, but also include other gases, such as methane emissions from Agriculture. Reduction of greenhouse gases is crucial to prevent further rise in global temperatures. Globally, we are working towards a goal of limiting temperature rise to no more than 1.5° Celsius.

An analysis of emissions in County Wicklow (Fig. 1) tells us that the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions are:

• Agriculture: animal production, machinery, fertilizer
• Residential buildings: heating, burning fossil fuels
• Transport: vehicle emissions
• Commercial buildings: heating, burning fossil fuels

Figure 1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions source breakdown, County Wicklow

Wicklow County Council’s operation generates 1% of the county’s greenhouse gas emissions. We are committed to leading by example by matching the national target and reducing emissions from service operation by 51% by 2030.  Irelands Climate Action Plan aims to reduce emission as follows, by 2030:

• Electricity 80%
• Transport 50%
• Buildings 45%
• Industry and Enterprise 35%
• Agriculture 25%
• Land Use change 58%
• Circular economy 14%

The Climate Action Plan will outline actions where Wicklow County Council has full accountability, such as, improving the energy performance of council buildings and social housing , and converting council vehicles to low emission vehicles. Wicklow County Council will also work to influence other sectors through purchasing and products and services that cause minimal environmental impacts, regulatory decision making on planned development and awarding of funding in communities. Wicklow County Council’s work with communities and stakeholders at local and regional level creates opportunity to support actions like SEAI’s Sustainable Energy Communities Programme. Wicklow County Council can also advocate for action and work to increase awareness and engagement at local level through its work with groups such as Green Schools, Tidy Towns or Green for Micro

Climate Change Adaptation is the process of adjusting to current or expected effects of climate change. This means changing our behaviours and systems to protect communities and natural resources (e.g. water, soil, forests, peatlands) by making them less vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

We are already experiencing changes in our climate and the resulting weather events cause flooding, coastal erosion and wind damage. Our climate will continue to experience change over the coming decades, even with best efforts to reduce our greenhouse gases. We must plan for these changes to ensure we safeguard our communities and protect our natural resources and their ability to function, strengthening resilience in our biodiversity.

A climate risk assessment was undertaken for County Wicklow using current trends and predictions to examine how risk will develop out to 2050. Fig. 2 looks at the increasing risk from weather events taking account of both of events and their severity.

Figure 2. Predicted risk, impact and frequency of weather events in Co. Wicklow

This study indicates that coastal erosion, coastal flooding, river flooding and surface water flooding during rainfall events will become both more frequent and more damaging by 2050.  These have the most likelihood of producing damaging effects on people and natural resources. Heatwaves will also grow in intensity and frequency and severe windstorms will be a significant threat.

Wicklow County Council has direct responsibility for services such as road and infrastructure maintenance, drainage works and the operation of emergency services. We can use our direct influence through planned development and other regulatory roles to shape climate adaptability.  For example, Wicklow County Council can assist partnerships such as LAWPRO (Local Authorities Water Programme) working to support community projects on rivers and catchments, assist in the development of a coordinated approach to land management with key groups, and can advocate for better protection and awareness of our natural resources and of the importance of biodiversity.