Catchment News

Join the climate conversation

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, supported by the EPA, have opened a nationwide online consultation as part of the 2021 Climate Action Plan. They would like your views on how we can transform Ireland and support people to take their own climate actions.

You are invited to be part of this Climate Conversation and to share your views on the government’s climate action and how it can support you to take climate action in your own life.

The consultation is open until 18th May 2021,  you can access the consultation here and we would encourage you to take part.

The Climate Conversation is being conducted in line with strict data protection rules, and for this reason is open only to those over 16. Under 16s will be consulted through the Comhairle na nÓg network

The Climate Action Plan is Ireland’s roadmap to becoming a climate neutral economy and resilient society by 2050. This means that the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere is dramatically reduced and is balanced by the amount removed by our land, forestry, or technology. Becoming a climate resilient society will help us to cope with the impacts of a changing climate.

Ireland is committed to achieving this future through a just transition, meaning all voices will be heard in a fair and equal manner, and that new opportunities will mean no one is left behind. 

You are invited to be part of this Climate Conversation and to share your views on the government’s climate action and how it can support you to take climate action in your own life.  Your views will also be part of the wider National Dialogue on Climate Action and will help to engage and communicate with more people on Ireland’s climate action in the future.

You don’t need to be a climate expert for your opinion to be valued, we want to hear from as many people as possible. You might find the Climate Jargon Buster useful as you read through the content and questions.

We would also ask that you share this link with as many friends, family, and social networks as possible to boost participation.

Take part:

https://climateconversations.citizenspace.com/decc/climateactionplan2021/

If you are responding as an organisation or would like to share a prepared submission please find the Call for Evidence here

Who is involved?

Quite simply, everyone in Ireland has a role to play. This can be from something as simple as making sure you don’t pollute your local stream, or a local community working together to establish a Rivers Trust to enhance the rivers and lakes in their area, to a Government Department or Agency helping a Minister implement a new policy to help protect and enhance all our water bodies.

This website has been developed and is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Local Authority Waters Programme.

LAWCO

Local Authority Waters Programme

The Local Authority Waters Programme coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan, and supports local community and stakeholder involvement in managing our natural waters, for everyone’s benefit.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA is responsible for coordinating the monitoring, assessment and reporting on the status of our 4,842 water bodies, looking at trends and changes, determining which waterbodies are at risk and what could be causing this, and drafting environmental objectives for each.

DECLG

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Department is responsible for making sure that the right policies, regulations and resources are in place to implement the Water Framework Directive, and developing a River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures to protect and restore our waters.