Ireland’s Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is consulting on how the country can achieve a transition to a competitive, low carbon economy and society by 2050 in a way that is fair and that works best for people and the planet.
Climate Conversations 2024 will feed into, and shape, the next iteration of the Climate Action Plan, which will mark a crucial mid-way point in Ireland’s shift to halve our emissions by 2030.
Commenting on the launch of Climate Conversations 2024, Minister Eamon Ryan (pictured) said: “One of the key parts of Ireland’s move to a lower-carbon economy and society is how we communicate and engage with one another.
“If we are to get climate action right, the first thing we have to do is listen to people, hear from them about their lives and their communities, the climate actions they are taking already, and the challenges and concerns they might have about the changes that are being proposed to help ensure that Ireland is ready for the opportunities of a new low-carbon future.
“We set up the National Dialogue on Climate Action to allow as many people as possible to have their say and be part of the national conversation on climate that we have to have.
“Some 13,000 people have done it in the past three years and we hope that even more people will join the conversation to make it bigger and better this year.”
Climate Conversations includes a large-scale online survey as well as in-person consultation events where people can have their say on what climate action means to them personally, as well as on a local and national level.
Climate Actions Work focuses on hearing from, and working with, local communities – talking to people where they are at about climate change and the climate actions that will work for them best.
Over the coming year, it will work with groups up and down the country to shine a light on the huge amount of climate action that is already taking place, to provide support and resources to groups that need it, and to encourage more people to get involved in talking about, thinking about and initiating climate actions.
Minister Ryan added: “This year we are building on what we learned last year; we are making sure that we engage with people where they are at, in their own towns, villages or work places, for example.
“There is a huge task ahead of us, to bridge the gap between where we are now and where we need to get to by 2030 and beyond. But we will not make this transition if we don’t bring people with us.
“We will not make this transition if it is not fair and we will not make this transition if people do not see and understand that climate action can improve their quality of life.
“That’s why we are hitting the road this year, to talk, to listen, to co-create, to work together.”
To take part, individuals and communities can visit the Climate Conversations portal and share views on our collective goals, what has been achieved, and what more could be done to support communities on climate action.