NOTICE OF THE PREPARATION OF THE MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL DRAFT CLIMATE ACTION PLAN 2024-2029

Meath County Council has published a Local Authority Draft Climate Action Plan

We are now looking for your input. Help us to shape appropriate actions to facilitate and enable effective climate action at a local and community level. Our Plan is currently in draft, and the final version is scheduled to be considered for adoption by our Elected Members in January 2024.

Meath County Council Draft Climate Action Plan

Meath County Council has prepared this Draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 to set out how the local authority can help tackle climate change and promote a range of mitigation, adaptation, and other climate action measures, to help deliver on the national climate obligations and the Government’s overall National Climate Objective. 

In order to ensure evidence-based climate action planning, the following reports were commissioned by Meath County Council:

1. Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) that evaluates the current and future climate related impacts and risks faced by Meath County Council and the community of County Meath.
2. Baseline Emissions Inventories (BEIs) which detail the current sources of greenhouse gas emissions in:
   1. Meath County Council
   2. County Meath
   3. Nine Decarbonising Zones across County Meath
      
      Trim, Dunboyne, Duleek, Kells, Laytown- Bettystown, Ratoath, Navan, Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin.

Strategic goals are informed by the key themes that emerged from the issues collated as part of the evidence base and stakeholder engagement processes.

Themes include:

1. Governance & Leadership
2. Built Environment & Transport
3. Natural Environment & Green Infrastructure
4. Communities Resilience & Transition
5. Sustainability & Resource Management

 The Goal and Objective of each theme is reinforced by a suite of clear distinct actions. The plan requires a whole-of-Council approach and Meath County Council will also work collaboratively and in partnership with a range of key stakeholders to support its delivery. The community of County Meath remain key stakeholders in the delivery of this ambitious plan and Meath County Council welcomes submissions/observations during this public consultation period.

Public Consultation

The Meath County Council Draft Climate Action Plan, the Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report and Appropriate Assessment Natura Impact Report, will be on display from 17 November 2023 to 8 January 2024, at the following locations:

1. On-line at https://consult.meath.ie/

2. The Draft Climate Action Plan may be inspected at the following civic buildings during normal opening hours for the consultation period (17 November 2023 to 8 January 2024):

• Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, C15 Y291
• Ashbourne Library, Killegland Street, Ashbourne, A84 NY73
• Kells Library, Maudlin Street, Kells, A82 YN52

Public Information Drop-in Clinics 

Council staff will be available to provide guidance on the Draft Climate Action Plan and the consultation process at the following locations: 

Submissions/Observations

Written submissions or observations regarding the Draft Climate Action Plan, SEA Environmental Report and AA Natura Impact Report may be made in one of three ways:

1. Online via Meath County Council’s Consultation Portal  https://consult.meath.ie/
2. Via Email with “Draft Climate Action Plan” in the subject line to ClimateActionMCC@meathcoco.ie
3. In Writing (marked “Draft Climate Action Plan”) to: Climate Action Co-Ordinator, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co. Meath C15 Y291

The closing date for receipt of submissions or observations is 17:00 on 8^th January 2024.

Please note LATE submissions or observations will not be considered. You are strongly advised to make your submission or observation as early as possible.

Please consider the following in making your submission:

1. Please make your submission or observations by one medium only i.e. online or hard copy.
2. Submissions or observations should include your name and address and, where relevant, details of any organisation, community group or company etc. which you represent.
3. Children, or groups or associations representing the interests of children, are particularly encouraged to make submissions or observations regarding the foregoing.
4. Written submissions or observations with respect to the Draft Climate Action Plan that are made within the period stated will be taken into consideration before the making of the Climate Action Plan.

Data Protection

The personal information (data) collected during the consultation process (which may include the collection of sensitive personal data) is collected for the purpose of receiving and dealing with submissions and any data collected is subject to Meath County Council’s privacy statement which can be found at Data Protection Privacy Notices - Environment Department | Meath.ie     

Dara McGowan

Director of Services  

Climate Action and Environment Section,

Meath County Council