Laois County Council is proud to announce the launch of its new energy awareness campaign, “Positive Energy,” aimed at encouraging its internal staff to embrace sustainable practices and build on the council’s remarkable achievements in energy efficiency.
Laois County Council currently leads the way among local authorities in terms of energy efficiency improvements, as highlighted in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) figures published in 2022.
Under the campaign, Laois County Council will focus on safeguarding and further advancing its impressive 59% improvement in the energy efficiency of Council operations.
The council has already reduced overall emissions by a significant 1650 tonnes of CO2 since the baseline measurement.
To maintain this momentum, the council recognises the challenges of transitioning to renewable heating sources and electrifying its fleet vehicles.
Planning is well underway, and the council is committed to securing the necessary resources to transform its infrastructure according to John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council.
Mr Mulholland encouraged all staff members to support and contribute to the ambitious climate action goals at every opportunity.
Highlighting the achievements to date, Paschal McEvoy, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, expressed his pride in the council’s accomplishments and the dedication shown by the staff.
He stated, “We have consistently led the way in energy efficiency improvements, and these achievements demonstrate our commitment to a sustainable future.
Through the ‘Positive Energy’ campaign, we are empowering Laois County Council staff to continue driving positive change and inspiring others to follow suit.”
The accomplishments of Laois County Council include significant progress in various areas:
Recycling: The recycling rate for 2022 stands at an impressive 61%.
IT: The council has replaced 276 PCs with laptops, resulting in energy savings equivalent to washing the same number of loads of laundry or running a tumble dryer for 2000 days non-stop.
Less Paper: Print volumes have been reduced by 21% since 2019.
Public Lights: 67.8% of public lights have been retrofitted with energy-efficient LEDs.
Housing: In 2022, 169 social housing units were retrofitted, resulting in substantial improvements in energy efficiency.
County Hall: Participating in the Optimising Power @ Work initiative since 2014, Laois County Council has achieved a saving of 381,051kWh, enough to power 25 homes annually or the equivalent CO2 offset of 343 acres of forest.
Reduce Your Use Campaign: The campaign has achieved an outstanding overall reduction of 26.8% compared to 2019, surpassing the 15% target.
Active Travel: Initiatives include the installation of 34 bespoke bicycle stands throughout Portlaoise town center, the development of local transport plans for several towns, and the installation of 2400m of footpaths and cycle tracks in 2022.
Portlaoise Low Carbon Town Project: A multitude of environmentally friendly initiatives have been undertaken, such as planting 200,000 bulbs, 10,000 trees, and creating pollinator-friendly roundabouts. Additionally, energy-saving LED street lighting, EV chargers, and compactor solar bins have been installed
Fleet: Fuel consumption has been reduced by 8% in 2022, contributing to significant emissions reductions.
Suzanne Dempsey, Climate Action Coordinator, emphasised the importance of the “Positive Energy” campaign in engaging internal staff members.
She stated, “By harnessing the collective power of our employees, we can accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future. The ‘Positive Energy’ campaign provides a platform for staff members to actively contribute and make a real difference in reducing our environmental impact.
“Through awareness, education, and collaborative efforts, we can inspire positive change within our organization and inspire others to follow suit. Together, we can create a culture of sustainability and lead by example, setting the standard for other local authorities and organizations.
“I am excited to see the enthusiasm and dedication of our staff as we work towards a greener and more energy-efficient Laois.”
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