Climate Action News | October

In this edition: Budget 2024 brings significant announcements on Climate Action, developments in renewable energy, and It Pays to plant trees on your land.

Taking Climate Action in Budget 2024?

Budget 2024 included major funding announcements for Climate Action. ?

The new Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund will provide €2 billion investment every year from 2024 to 2030. Up to 22.5% of the fund can be used to support climate & nature-related capital projects.?

Meanwhile, the Future Ireland Fund will help deal with future recognised expenditure pressures including climate.??

Also, confirmation that funds raised from carbon tax next year are expected to total €788 million. The carbon tax take will fund social protection measures such as fuel allowance, the national retrofitting plan and will support greener and more sustainable agriculture.???

Other items of note, €2 billion to support sustainable travel; Just Transition funds for the wider Midlands region, €26.5m to support developing countries tackling climate change and additional funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); while in agriculture, there is funding for research, forestry and organics, as well as agri-environment initiatives and the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).

Get the details here

Taking Climate Action

Ambitious new Forestry Programme Launched

Ireland needs more trees to combat climate change, increase biodiversity and improve our water.??

As such, landowners are being encouraged to sign up to plant trees for future generations, as part of Ireland’s new Forest Strategy.

Find more information about forestry grants and schemes that are available.

Climate Action at Ploughing

Thousands of people engaged with Government of Ireland exhibitors at the National Ploughing Championships in late September.?Climate Action was at the heart of this year’s event, with the marquee tent themed We’re Taking Climate Action.??

Stands in the tent from the Environmental Protection Agency, Geological Survey Ireland, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and The Office of Public Works all sharedinformation on different aspects of the Government’s Climate Action.

Check out scenes from this year's Ploughing on X (Formerly Twitter).

Latest News on Energy and Renewables

The Government has announced new energy cooperation agreements with the United Kingdom.?

The two new Memorandums of Understanding will increase cooperation for developing offshore renewable energy, electricity interconnection and security of gas supply.?

Meanwhile, news that the third Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction procured volumes representing a 12% increase on current renewables has been welcomed.?

As with the previous schemes, RESS 3 includes mandatory community benefit funds that will deliver approximately €2 million each year to sustainable initiatives within communities close to the projects.

View the auction results .

Circular Economy Comes Back Around

It’s time to redefine our relationship with stuff!

The Government has launched a new campaign encouraging people to participate in the circular economy.

The circular economy is all about keeping your belongings in use for as long as possible. Repair, share, and recycle – it’s good for people and the planet!??

Learn more about the circular economy.

Bioeconomy Action Plan

Ireland’s first National Bioeconomy Action Plan has been published.?

The bioeconomy is the production, utilisation, and regeneration of biobased materials to provide sustainable nature-based and biobased solutions across all economic sectors.?

Read more about the 2023-2025 Plan.

Taking Climate Action

Going Green and Growing Digital

The green economy and digital transformation offer both opportunities and challenges for business.?

The next in a series of free Building Better Business events organised by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is an opportunity to hear how other businesses are navigating the transition and learn about the range of Government supports available.?

Sign up to join the next event in Cork on Thursday the 9th November.

Noticeboard

Events?

The Agriculture and Climate Change - Science into Action Conference on 15 November is taking place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. To read the programme for the event, click here

The next SDGs National Stakeholder Forum, taking place on 17 November at the Aviva and online, is open for registration. The forum will focus on Biodiversity & Community. Building resilience while Leaving No One Behind. Find out more

Sci:Com in Aviva Stadium on December 6th is focused on science communication and beyond for an exciting day of talks, panel discussions, and networking. Go here for more information

Consultations

A public consultation to guide the development of a National Carbon Farming Framework has opened. Carbon farming is a potential opportunity for farmers and land managers to derive a new income stream for their farm and a key enabler to assist the sector in meeting Ireland’s climate targets. Participate here

The Draft National En-route EV Charging Network Plan is at public consultation. This is the first element of the National EV Charging Network Plan which will cover all publicly accessible EV charging. Get involved

A public consultation on a Draft Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan has opened. Submissions accepted until 10 November. Submit here

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Dublin City Council’s Draft Climate Action Plan, Climate Neutral Dublin 2030 sets out how the local authority can promote a range of mitigation, adaptation and other climate action measures, to help deliver on the National Climate Action Plan and the Government’s overall National Climate Objective. Offer a view

Resources

Met éireann says 2023 is on track to be the warmest year on record globally. Get the latest weather data here

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At the UN Climate Ambition Summit, in September, Secretary General António Guterres showcased “first mover and doer” leaders?who came with credible actions, policies and plan. WATCH the UNSG ’s call to other leaders to follow suit.

Watch the OECD’s September Green Talks session on their recent report Taming Wildfires in the Context of Climate Change. Discover the Green Talks LIVE webinar series here

The Environmental Protection Agency has released its 2022 Report on air quality. Download the report from the EPA website

A report on the Government’s 2022 Climate Conversations initiative with?4,300 citizens is now available. Read the?report here

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), in partnership with PwC, has published its 5th annual Low Carbon Pledge report The report found 80% of signatories are on track to setting science-based targets for decarbonisation across all areas of their operations. However, greater urgency and a focus on protecting nature is needed.

PwC has published its latest Net Zero Economy Index. The Index, which tracks economic growth and energy-related CO2 emissions data, is available here.

WATCH : As part of EIT Climate-KIC's Community Week, an event on Sustainable Food Systems was held in UCD, Dublin, on September 28. "From Farm to Form: Shaping Sustainable Food Systems" brought together experts and leaders from the Irish and international land and agri-food value chain to explore unlocking innovation as Ireland seeks to achieve climate goals.

Supports

Government has launched a new energy support scheme for businesses that are kerosene users. Full details of how to apply, including eligibility criteria, are available at bussk.ie

Climate Action as a Leaving Certificate subject

Second Level students are looking forward to the introduction of Climate Action and Sustainable Development as a Leaving Certificate subject, after recent confirmation.??

The programme is informed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s (NCCA) advisory report on the review of Senior Cycle, as well as the experience of Leaving Certificate students, a growing demand for change and international experience and perspectives.? ?

For more, visit gov.ie