Funding announced to support climate action in Limerick

ALMOST €3 million in climate action funding will be split across four Munster counties including Limerick.

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has entered a new agreement to provide €2.9 million to support the Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) in the southern region over the next six years.

The Atlantic Seaboard South CARO coordinates the delivery of climate action across the counties of Clare, Cork County and City, Kerry and Limerick. €12 million in total is being allocated to Ireland’s four CAROs for the period 2023-2029.

Cork County Council, Dublin City Council, Kildare County Council (in partnership with Kilkenny County Council), and Mayo County Council are the lead local authorities for Ireland’s four CAROs. Cork County Council is managing the Atlantic Seaboard South CARO.

Fire crews tackle blaze at University of Limerick

The CAROs were established in 2018 to support local government to respond and adapt to climate change. They coordinate national and local climate policy and work to ensure there is a more joined-up approach to responding to the climate crisis at a regional level.

The CAROs are a support organisation for local authorities and operate as a shared service across the local government sector. Each office, led by a CARO Coordinator, works closely with the local authorities in their region to guide and inform them as they lead transformative change and measurable climate action across our cities and counties in areas such as transport, biodiversity, and preventing coastal erosion.

They help local authorities to deliver climate policies and behavioural change within their own organisations and to empower citizens, businesses and neighbourhoods to better understand the impacts of climate change and to embrace the need for climate action.

Minister Ryan welcomed the continued engagement with the CAROs and the local authorities: “Over the previous five years, the CAROs have been instrumental in helping local authorities to respond to climate challenges, particularly on adaptation, and have become a really valued resource for the local authorities within their region.

“The Department will work closely with the CAROs over the coming years to ensure the work continues to support the delivery of climate actions at a local level.

“The climate is changing more quickly and unpredictably than we can keep up with. We can see the impacts all around us — flooding, heatwaves, droughts. Climate change is a serious threat to Ireland and its people. We need to talk about these problems and work together to prepare for the changes that are coming. By taking local climate action and working with local government, we’re creating a better Ireland. An Ireland with new opportunities. A resilient Ireland, where we work together to apply our knowledge, creativity and innovation to identify climate solutions. We’re no strangers to change — we can adapt and thrive. Communities, local government and policymakers can work together to realise the opportunities that climate action can bring,” he added.