Galway City Council has launched the first ever draft local authority Climate Action Plan, which sets out ambitious targets to transform the council and the city.
Galway City Council aims to reduce greenhouse gases on both its operations and the wider city by 51% by 2030, and to become carbon-neutral by 2050.
The public are invited to make submissions to the Draft LA Climate Action Plan from today until Friday, 29 December at 4.00pm.
Speaking about the launch, Ms Patricia Philbin, Interim Chief Executive Galway City Council, said that the Local Authority Climate Action Plan is a welcome further development in creating a more sustainable and climate neutral Galway City.
“Collaboration has never been more important in maintaining a dialogue with the people of Galway, so that our city has climate action and resilience at the forefront of everything that we do,” she said.
“As we are witnessing extreme weather events such as increased storms, flooding, and droughts here in Ireland, and temperatures reaching over 50°C in mainland Europe, Climate breakdown is becoming very real and visible.
“These events remind us that we all have a responsibility to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and make positive Climate choices. Galway City Council will be to the forefront of that action, working in partnership with businesses and our communities throughout the city.”
Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Eddie Hoare said that climate change is the most significant challenge to all communities in Galway City.
He said that the inaugural climate action plan marks a significant milestone in the city’s commitment to address this challenge by implementing measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
“This plan sets out ambitious targets to deliver transformative action across all functions of Galway City Council and throughout Galway City.
“Climate action also offers opportunities to communities and businesses to promote sustainability, biodiversity, active travel and to make positive changes in our daily lives.
“I welcome this plan as a significant further step in delivering our 2030 targets and progressing towards a climate neutral Galway City by 2050 in line with Irelands Climate Action Plan targets.”
