There were plenty of positives to be taken from the first progress report of the Laois County Council Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LACAP) 2024-2029.
The report covers climate action taken by the Council between January 2024 and January 2025.
Like all Local Authorities, Laois County Council is bound by the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UN’s “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” is designed to combat the global challenges facing humanity.
The actions taken in the LACAP are designed to support the Government’s National Climate Objective which aims for “a climate-resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally sustainable, and climate-neutral economy” by 2050.
Laois County Council is obligated to achieve a 50% improvement in energy efficiency (based on a 2018 baseline) by 2030 under the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2023.
Provisional figures show that the 50% improvement in energy performance had already been reached by 2023.
The Council is also obligated to achieve a 51% reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) carbon emissions (based on a 2016-2018 baseline).
The total emissions in 2023 were almost 37% below the baseline; to reach the 2030 targets, emissions must decrease by a further 52.3%.
Fossil fuel CO2 was more that 50% below the 2016-2019 baseline in 2023; however, an additional reduction of 49% is required to achieve to 2030 targets.
The LACAP has set out 114 actions across five areas which it hopes will help battle climate damage and help to achieve the SDG targets.
Governance and Leadership
21 of the 114 actions are focused on Governance and Leadership, including the Green Public Procurement Strategy 2024-2027.
This outlines “key actions to enhance sustainable procurement practices,” including building social houses to nearly zero energy buildings; retrofitting housing stocks; upgrade of cycle lanes in major towns; and upgrading public lighting to LED bulbs.
Going forward, the LACAP will also place a huge emphasis on improving the energy efficiency of three of its main energy consumers – County Hall, Portlaoise Leisure Centre and Portarlington Leisure Centre.
The latest action under the Governance and Leadership theme was rolled out this week at the March meeting of Laois County Council.
Elected members have for a long time been supplied with bottles of Ballygowan water during Council meetings, however, this week saw the introduction of a more sustainable practice.
Each of the 19 County Councillors were presented with their own personalised reusable water bottle, to be used for all future meetings.
Built Environment and Transport
48 of the 114 actions are focused on Built Environment and Transport including the Social Housing Retrofit Programme.
This has seen Laois County Council implement significant works on the Council housing stock, including heat pump installation; external and internal insulation; door and windows upgrades; and ventilation.
46 retrofits were completed in 2024 with another 53 in progress at a cost of approximately €9.5 million was spent. On average, the tenants see energy savings of €45 per week.
Another initiative under the Built Environment and Transport theme is the introduction of e-bikes into Portlaoise.
Over 40 bikes were placed more than 30 locations across Portlaoise town, with over 1,500 different people availing of the bikes.
Natural Environment and Green Infrastructure
Nine of the 114 actions are focused on Natural Environment and Green Infrastructure including the Biodiversity Demonstration Garden.
The garden, created at the Laois Education Support Centre, is designed as a “living classroom,” which showcases a variety of biodiversity projects that can be replicated at schools.
Guided walks aim to promote awareness and understanding of biodiversity among teachers, students and the broader community.
This project is part of a wider effort to integrate more green spaces into urban settings, to enhance quality of life and promote sustainable living.
Agricultural inspections also took place throughout 2024 as part of Natural Environment and Green Infrastructure actions.
A total of 102 initial farm inspections and 52 follow-up inspections were conducted alongside ongoing engagement with Teagasc ASSP and the IFA.
Communities Resilience and Transition
23 of the 114 actions are focused on Communities Resilience and Transition the Green for Business Programme.
This is a new initiative from the Local Enterprise Offices designed to help small businesses prepare for a low carbon, more resource-efficient economy.
The programme offers a means of achieving resource efficiency, reducing costs, improving the corporate image while enhancing green credentials.
Another important programme has been the Portlaoise Travel Cluster Project.
This set a national precedent by becoming the first initiative in Ireland to unite all schools within a town under the Green-Schools Travel theme.
The innovative aims to make school journeys safer, healthier, and more sustainable for students across Portlaoise.
Sustainable and Resource Management
13 of the 114 actions are focused on Sustainable and Resource Management, including the Laois Climate Action Festival 2024
50 events showcased climate action initiatives by the Council alongside partner organisations The Cube, Laois Libraries, Laois PPN, Laois Connects, Laois Chamber Alliance, and the Dunamaise Theatre.
Themes across the festival included food waste reduction, biodiversity, sustainable gardening, and climate awareness.
Another element of the Sustainable and Resource Management theme saw the Council allocate €465,000 to 16 community groups across Laois as part of the Community Climate Action Fund.
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