Minister Eamon Ryan TD officially launched Dublin Climate Action Week

Minister Eamon Ryan TD, officially launched Dublin Climate Action Week on the morning of Monday 13th September at dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire.

Dublin’s first Climate Action Week takes place from 13th to 19th September 2021.

On Monday 13th September 2021, Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate & Communications and Minister for Transport, officially launched Dublin’s first Climate Action Week, taking place from Monday 13th to Sunday 19th September. The launch was attended by the Mayors and Chief Executives of the four Dublin local authorities.

Over 70 online and in-person events are planned throughout Dublin Climate Action Week and will cover the themes of Energy & Buildings, Flood Resilience, Transport, Resource Management, Nature Based Solutions and Citizen Engagement. Registrations for all events is available on the DCAW21 website www.dublinclimateactionweek.ie.

The week is being organised and delivered by the partnership of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Codema – Dublin’s Energy Agency and the Dublin Climate Action Regional Office (CARO).

Dublin Climate Action Week takes place at a time when we are reminded of the ongoing importance of addressing climate action, and our cities have an important role to play. The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) estimates approximately 75% of the worlds CO2 emissions come from the urban areas, with transport and buildings as the largest contributors. More than 10% of residents in Ireland live in Dublin and the primary emissions in the City Region come from the residential, commercial and transport sectors.

The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Climate Change 2021 Report, titled The Physical Science Basis report, categorically underlines the need for urgent action on climate change by all sectors of society.  Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Met Éireann (MÉ) and the Marine Institute (MI) recently published a report on ‘The Status of Ireland’s Climate’. The report concludes that ‘the evidence is clear, global climate change means Ireland is warmer and wetter’.

The Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the Mayors of South Dublin County Council and Fingal County Council, and the Lord Mayor of Dublin City Council, have jointly stated ‘The Dublin Region is acting on climate change causes and impacts, and we are making positive changes. The Dublin local authorities are working together on building climate resilience, to ultimately enhance the City for future generations. At the heart of Dublin Climate Action Week is the message that, reaching and exceeding the ambitious national climate targets to 2030, 2050 and beyond, will require us all to make important choices now, so we are all Taking Action, Together’.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executives of the Dublin local authorities, Tom McHugh, dlr Interim Chief Executive has stated ‘The Dublin local authorities and across Ireland, are continuing to respond to, and adapt to the needs of local communities. This includes both the causes and impacts of climate change. We are delighted to partner with Codema – Dublin’s Energy Agency and the Dublin Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) to bring you Dublin’s first Climate Action Week. The week reflects the ongoing implementation of the four Dublin local authority Climate Change Action Plans. We also wish to sincerely thank the broad range of speakers and presenters who are collaborating with us on our exciting and diverse events programme, we believe there is something for everyone’.