Climate Countdown: BABLE and Galway City Council Driving Change on World Climate Change Day!

As the global clock ticks closer to irreversible climate impacts, Galway City isn't just watching the minutes pass by—instead, they are setting the pace for proactive change. Today is the World Climate Change Day 2024, but Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe / Galway City Council and BABLE Smart Cities did not wait for this date to start acting!

The urgency of Galway City's mission is underscored by Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act of 2021, which mandates a reduction in emissions by 51% within this decade, setting us on a path to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In response, local authorities, including Galway City, adopted Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LACAP) that incorporate rigorous adaptation and mitigation strategies.

As the February 2024 deadline for these plans has passed, Galway City Council's Climate Action Plan emphasises how our collective efforts can mould a sustainable future. How can we, as a community, drive change that not only meets legislative mandates but also preserves the unique charm and vitality of Galway City and the planet?

Galway City Decarbonising Zone

Aligned with national climate goals, Galway City has designated Westside as a decarbonising zone, a strategic move aimed at significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This zone is mandated to achieve a 7% annual reduction in emissions from 2021 to 2030, underlining our commitment to meet and exceed the rigorous targets set by Ireland's Climate Action Plan 2021. The selection of Westside is strategic, utilising its demographics and urban layout, which include accessible public transport and varied energy usage patterns, to maximise the impact of the interventions. This initiative exemplifies a targeted approach to climate action, where local solutions harness local strengths to achieve broader environmental and societal benefits, demonstrating effective strategies that can be adopted in other regions.

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NetZeroCities Pilot

Galway City has embarked on a transformative journey towards sustainability with the help of a significant EUR 1 million grant from the EU-funded NetZeroCitiesEU Pilot Cities Programme. This initiative has catapulted the Westside area of Galway City into the spotlight as a pioneering community in the realm of energy efficiency and carbon reduction. As the first Irish city selected as one of the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities (in cohort 1), Galway City is not just participating; it is leading by example and setting a standard for environmental leadership across Europe. The strategic choice of Westside as the focus for this initiative addresses the urgent need for upgrading energy systems in areas characterised by high consumption and outdated infrastructures. This effort is poised to serve as a scalable model for energy efficiency that can be replicated not only regionally but also nationally, potentially influencing policy and practice beyond the local context.

Sharon Carroll , the Galway City Net Zero Cities Project Co-ordinator, explains, "The Net Zero Cities Pilot Cities Programme gives Galway City the unique chance to experiment with various decarbonisation strategies, focusing particularly on the built environment. This not only advances our local strategies but also enhances our capacity for climate action, serving as a blueprint that could influence policy and practice beyond our borders."

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Community Climate Action Programme

The Community Climate Action Programme is a cornerstone of Galway City's strategy to engage every segment of the community in meaningful climate action. Supported by the Irish Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications along with Galway City Council, this initiative aims to empower residents to contribute effectively to national climate goals. The programme focuses on facilitating projects that improve energy efficiency, enhance sustainable transportation, reduce waste, and foster sustainable consumption and local environmental stewardship. With funding tiers designed to support a wide range of projects—from small grassroots efforts to large-scale initiatives—this programme is a testament to the belief in the power of community action to drive substantial environmental change.

The Air We Share

Galway City Council's Culture & Creativity Team is launching "The Air We Share," an innovative project funded by Creative Ireland and the Irish Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media. This initiative targets air pollution in Westside's Decarbonising Zone, promoting sustainable behaviours in line with Ireland's goals to reduce greenhouse emissions by 51% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.

In collaboration with University of Galway, Galway Arts Centre, Westside Resource Centre, and Galway Culture Company, the project employs citizen science to engage residents in air quality monitoring. This data then inspires artists in three residencies to interpret air quality through sensory experiences—touch, sight, and sound—integrating art and science to make environmental impacts tangible.

Blueprints Become the New Benchmark: Solutions for Smart City Innovations

As Galway City intensifies its efforts to combat climate change, our initiatives resonate with the innovative solutions featured on the BABLE Knowledge Hub, which provides unparalleled access to valuable data and insights on Smart City/Smart Place projects in Europe, collected since the inception of the term 'Smart City'. The platform's focus on sustainability and urban innovation offers valuable insights and examples that align with and inspire local projects.

Energy-Efficient Retrofitting of Buildings

Improving the energy efficiency of the building stock in a city requires strategic and long-term thinking. Addressing complex ownership structures, overcoming market barriers, and engaging diverse stakeholders are all part of our concerted effort to transform our city’s building stock into models of energy efficiency that contribute to the creation of positive energy districts. This initiative directly supports climate goals by significantly reducing the energy demand and carbon footprint of Galway City’s urban landscape, providing a sustainable solution that aligns with the ambitious targets of the NetZeroCities Pilot.

Urban Resilience

Emphasising urban resilience within our planning processes addresses the complex challenges that our city faces in terms of natural, economic, social, physical, and institutional dimensions. This resilience is essential for maintaining and rapidly restoring the desired functions of our urban systems in the face of disturbances, adapting to change, and transforming systems that limit adaptive capacities. Implementing resilience strategies enhances the ability to withstand and adapt to climate change, thereby ensuring a sustainable future for all of Galway City's residents and aligning with the proactive measures outlined in the Local Authority Climate Action Plan.

Community Engagement

At the heart of environmental initiatives is community engagement, which is fundamental to the governance and sustainable development of cities. By fostering a two-way dialogue between residents and the government, we ensure that policies and decisions are reflective of the community’s needs and aspirations. Innovative engagement methods enhance traditional forums and meetings, making participation more accessible and effective. This ongoing engagement is crucial for the successful implementation and longevity of the environmental policies, ensuring that every person is a key stakeholder in our collective future. Through such inclusive processes, we further our commitment to the climate action goals by integrating community insights and priorities into the decision-making that shapes our city's response to climate change.

A Continuous Journey

Galway City's comprehensive approach—from strategic decarbonization to community engagement—showcases its dedication to creating a sustainable and resilient urban future. Damien Redington, Galway City Council Climate Action Coordinator, underscores the importance of this commitment, stating:

"Climate change is the most significant challenge to all communities in Galway City. Galway City Council is committed to supporting communities and business through our service delivery, grant funding opportunities and significant knowledge-sharing networks which will compliment the emission reduction actions already being completed across the city."

He highlights the Galway City Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LACAP), adopted on February 12, 2024, which outlines a range of mitigation and adaptation actions over a five-year period aimed at achieving the 2030 climate action targets. This plan not only focuses on emissions reduction but also offers opportunities for promoting sustainability, biodiversity, and active travel. Furthermore, Galway City Council is committed to supporting these efforts through robust service delivery, grant funding, and extensive knowledge-sharing networks to enhance community and business engagement.

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