Library of Community Stories
Community Stories Library
Mullingar DZ (Decarbonization Zone) Westmeath
Westmeath County Council has named Mullingar Town as the County’s official ‘Decarbonisation’Zone (DZ) Zone (DZ). According to the Westmeath Climate Action Plan 2024–2029, the Mullingar DZ will focus on both climate change mitigation and adaptation , with a strong focus on protecting and improving local biodiversity. The Westmeath Climate Action Team is currently in the early stages of developing the Mullingar Town DZ initiative. The vision for the Decarbonising Zone is that: “Mullingar will become an importanttestbed for Westmeath’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future, in line with the objectives of the Westmeath Climate Action Plan and Ireland’s national goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Togher Community Garden
This garden has made a habitat for nature so that biodiversity has increased in this space so close to the city of Cork. But at the same time it is clear that Mandie, Marie, and everyone else in the project sees how important it is to include as many people and groups. “It was a challenge at the start to convince people that the garden wasn’t going to be vandalised and that if it was, then we would just fix the issue not highlight it in the community not to be negative about any vandalism. It was important to include the kids and teenagers that hung around the park ask them to help out so they felt involved too.” – Mandie.
The Lixnaw Bog Conservation Project
The Presentation Sisters of the South West Province who owned a 20 acre bog in Lixnaw allowed it to return to nature. They themselves took on the costs of rewilding. At the same time they made sure to talk to the local people who had access to the bog. Long absent species of bog plants and animals were given a chance to return to what became a wetter bog and therefore a healthier bog.
West Kerry Dairy Farmers Sustainable Energy Community
West Kerry Dairy Farmers set up a Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) in 2020 to cut electricity use and carbon emissions in the dairy sector in the area. Led by local farmer Dinny Galvin, supported by a small steering committee, Dingle Hub, and SEAI mentors, the group co-created an Energy Master Plan (EMP) with outside consultants. They went on to run a collective solar PV meitheal . The SEC combined a collective tender for solar, and farmer-to-farmer learning to move farms toward energy efficiency and visible climate action.
Maynooth DZ (Decarbonization Zone) Kildare
Kildare County Council has designated Maynooth Town as the Decarbonising Zone (DZ) for the county. Acting as a “testbed” Maynooth Town will pioneer ambitious climate actions intended to be replicated by other “Fast Follower” towns across Kildare.
Longford DZ (Decarbonization Zone)
Longford County Council has designated Longford Town as its official Decarbonising Zone (DZ).
The vision for Longford Town aims:
“To set an example for County Longford by forging and strengthening engagement between Longford County Council, business, communities, key stakeholders from the private sector, energy network operators and others by striving together towards the National Climate Action Target”.
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