Mayo County Council launch Climate Action Plan survey

Mayo County Council launch Climate Action Plan survey

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Loftus, launched Mayo County Council’s Climate Action Plan pre-draft consultation survey last week in Ballina alongside former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

The pre-draft consultation survey will be used to help guide Mayo County Council in creating the county’s first ever Climate Action Plan.

Local Authorities will have a particularly important role in the delivery of both climate mitigation and adaptation. This is reflected in the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act, 2021, which requires each local authority to prepare a Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LA CAP), specifying the mitigation and the adaptation measures to be adopted by the Local Authority.

Speaking at the launch of the survey, Cllr Loftus said: “I am honoured to launch this Climate Action consultation here today in the presence of former Uachtarán na hÉireann Mary Robinson.

“Mary Robinson has been an advocate for Climate Action and Climate Justice worldwide. As the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council I would like to thank her for all her work, and we are honoured that she is supporting us today here in her hometown of Ballina.

“Every local authority across Ireland has to complete a Climate Action Plan by February 2024. In Mayo County Council we are committed to ensuring that this plan reflects the voices of the people of Mayo.

“This short survey invites the public to tell us how they feel about Climate Change, what the barriers are to taking action on climate and what changes they would like to see in their towns, villages and communities.

“There are challenges ahead to increase the climate resilience of Mayo and to move towards net zero emissions by 2050 but there are also great opportunities and benefits for Mayo. This feedback is the first step in helping to shape Mayo’s future and I would encourage the public to participate so that Mayo County Council can deliver the best plan for the people of Mayo.

“In the words of Mary Robinson ‘We are the last generation to be able to do something about climate and the first generation to understand how serious it is’.”

Looking for support

Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council welcomed the launch of the survey saying: “I would encourage every citizen in Mayo to take part in this survey. Climate Change is an issue that Mayo County Council is determined to lead the way on and by filling out this survey, the people of Mayo will be able to give us their input ahead of the formulation of the counties first ever Climate Action Plan and have their voices heard on what their communities want to see included in this plan.”

Submissions can be made at the link below, which can also be found on the mayo.ie website. The consultation period lasts until August 18. Hard copies of survey will be available in all libraries and there will be specific stakeholder engagement sessions with sectors such as agriculture, enterprise, and other public bodies. Mayo County Council is required by statute to adopt the plan before the February 24, 2024.

SUBMISSIONS: Climate Action Plan Pre-Draft Consultation