CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Sligo County Council believes it can make a meaningful contribution to Climate Action and are committed to achieving an overall reduction of 33% in energy consumption by 2020.

The National Climate Change Strategy 2007 – 2012 maintains that the Public Sector must lead with mandatory programmes of energy efficiency measures. This means adopting specific targets for reducing CO2 emissions and measuring and reporting on progress annually. Local Authorities aim to achieve their targets in a direct manner by reducing emissions through their own energy use and procurement activities, and indirectly through their statutory functions in the areas of housing, planning and transportation etc.

The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2009-2020 ‘Maximising Ireland’s Energy Efficiency’ identifies the extent of the challenge facing our society; ‘Improving Ireland’s energy efficiency is an essential component of our sustainable energy policy. Energy efficiency is internationally recognised as the most costeffective means of reducing dependence on fossil fuels.’

In December 2008, the County and City Managers’ Association published a paper on Climate Change ‘Best Practice and Current Initiatives’ which stated that “In developing climate change policy, local authorities should consider all aspects of their functions, identify their energy usage and appropriate action to reduce that usage, specify targets and timeframes by which reductions can be achieved, outline the savings that will accrue and outline a plan for implementation. That plan should also indicate the structures in place and procedures being pursued by the local authority to ensure appropriate monitoring of progress on an annual basis.”

Climate Action and Energy Efficiency within Sligo County Council are championed by a cross-departmental Climate Change/Energy Efficiency Working Group and supported by dedicated staff in the Environment Section. Energy usage data are being gathered against which to measure progress and key actions are underway across a range of services to reduce energy consumption. These and other measures will play a major role in the ongoing delivery of improved efficiencies. 

Preparing and implementing a comprehensive Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Strategy is a corporate priority and will position the organisation to meet its formal public sector energy-efficiency targets.