Local effort crucial to tackling climate change

CLIMATE change can only be properly tackled with local action, according to Minister of State Andrew Doyle.

Ahead of Green Week, a Fine Gael environmental awareness campaign, Deputy Doyle said citizen and community engagement in Wicklow must go hand in hand with Government investment to prioritise and preserve our local environment.

‘Effective change is putting the levers for climate action into people’s hands and local action is fundamental for a real national impact. The small changes we make in our own lives can make a huge difference. Earlier this month it was announced that Wicklow will receive €9,375 funding for local environment initiatives under the Local Agenda Environmental Partnership Fund,’ he said.

Wicklow will also benefit from €44,400 funding for Anti-Dumping Initiatives.

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, will begin accepting applications next month for a dedicated €500 million fund for projects that will decrease Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions and increase our use of sustainable energy and local small businesses are also set to benefit from the Smart Lighting fund.

Minister Doyle outlined that grant amounts for homeowners in Wicklow to install attic insulation, cavity wall insulation and/or internal wall insulation have also been increased and can save householders up to €600 per year on heating bills through better insulation.

‘Grants for attic insulation and cavity wall insulation have increased from €300 to €400, while grants for internal wall insulation have increased from €1,200 to €1,600 for apartments and mid-terrace houses and from €1,800 to €2,200 for semi-detached and end-of-terrace detached houses,’ he said.