Climate Change linked to biodiversity loss is the defining challenge of our time. Wicklow County Council declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in 2019 and signed the Climate Charter that year also. Through the charter, Wicklow County Council made a commitment to lead by transforming how it operates and also engage community action across County Wicklow.
Climate Action including action on biodiversity loss requires measures across the full range of local government services. The Climate Adaptation Strategy adopted in 2019 examined the risks Wicklow will be exposed too and their impacts on service delivery and communities. Climate Action will shape policy and governance for the organisation. Wicklow County Council is committed to transforming how it uses energy, working to upgrade its buildings with energy efficiency measures and renewables, while also assisting communities to plan their energy transformation. On travel, Wicklow County Council will work to decarbonize its fleet, promote active travel and facilitate better access to public transport. Spatial planning will focus on decarbonizing development of our towns and communities. Waste management and economic development will focus on the delivery of a resource efficient circular economy. Biodiversity will have a central role in delivering a resilient future, including delivering nature based solutions.
A Climate Action Plan will set out Wicklow County Council’s roadmap for delivering on Ireland's Climate Action ambition to be net Carbon neutral by 2050 and to set targets that will help us achieve targets of a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.