3.9 Community Climate Action Fund (CAF

4.4.6 DUBLIN CLIMATE ACTION WEEK #DCAW22

Dublin Climate Action Week took place from Monday 12th to Saturday 17th September 2022. Now in its second year, Dublin Climate Action Week was organised and delivered by the partnership of

• SDCC (who chaired the 2022 steering group),

• Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council,

• Dublin City Council,

• Fingal County Council,

• Codema – Dublin’s Energy Agency,

• Dublin Climate Action Regional Office (CARO).

Together the partners aimed to shine a light on how the Dublin region is engaging with climate action. Offering a range of online and in-person events, the agreed goals were to inform citizens, increase awareness and highlight the need for urgent climate action by all sectors of society. Events were selected to explore and consider how both systemic change and individual action are required to tackle the climate crisis.

On this basis, SDCC organised a range of events, to contribute to the overall programme with ourpartnership colleagues, to make climate action a tangible prospect for citizens of the county. Events in South Dublin

SDCC organised events covering key topics and themes of the climate crisis. Events explored a range of themes such as energy and resource use, active travel, flood resilience, and biodiversity, all delivered through a citizen engagement lens. Everyone from school children to businesses to policy makers were encouraged to participate.

Water, water everywhere: A beginner’s guide to sustainable drainage systems at home took place on the evening of Monday 12th September. With climate change we are already seeing a rise in the number of heavy rainfall events, but where does that water go and what can we do to help? The webinar sought to answer those questions to homeowners by providing practical examples and advice on sustainable drainage systems at home, followed by a questions and answers session.

Biodiversity Walk at Tymon Park, Tallaght took place on the evening of Tuesday 13th September. Members of the public interested in learning more about biodiversity in South Dublin County were invited to this walk in Tymon Park, Tallaght. Led by Heritage Officer for SDCC, Rosaleen Dwyer, the event explored the parks native biodiversity around the historic ice age era esker and actions ongoing to restore and preserve its natural biodiversity.  Youth Climate Conference at North Clondalkin Library took place on Wednesday 14th September and Thursday 15th September at Ballyroan Library. 5 workshops across both days, involving Codema, the Rediscovery Centre, and Aoife Munn, highlighted the importance of taking individual and collective climate action to transition year students. Participants engaged on topics ranging from energy efficiency at home, to sustainable living, to how reusing materials helps support the circular economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Students also completed ‘Postcards from 2050’, an initiative of Codema asking citizens to imagine Dublin in 2050.

Repair or Replace: What drives our energy use? took place on the evening of Wednesday 14th September. The webinar was delivered by The Centre of Innovative Human Systems, Trinity College Dublin. This unique workshop aimed to help participants make better financial and climate choices, using a digital simulation game, by exploring the factors that impact repair/replace decisions.

Image 4.4.1 - Mayor of SDCC Councillor Emma Murphy launching Dublin Climate Action Week 2022 in the Round Tower Visitor Centre, Clondalkin. Image 4.4.2 - SDCC Mayor Emma Murphy with Councillors and staff at the launch of Dublin Climate Action Week 2022 in the Round Tower Visitor Centre, Clondalkin. Biodiversity Walk at Waterstown Park, Palmerstown took place on Thursday 15th September. This walk examined biodiversity actions and positive results in Waterstown Park and was led by Heritage Officer for SDCC, Rosaleen Dwyer and Park Ranger Gerry Spain.

Climate Fest 2022 took place on Saturday 17th September from 11am – 4pm. There was something for everyone at this in-person event. The Stop Food Waste team talked about how reducing your food waste can reduce your impact on the climate. ESB e-bikes road tested their new bikes with citizens, now available for hire in South Dublin. The Recreate team were designing creative circular economy solutions to help offset climate change. Dale Treadwell took attendees on an exploration of biodiversity, and the reasons to keep nature healthy in the face of climate change impacts. The Climate Action Team discussed key climate action topics with citizens. LAWPRO, the Local Authority Waters Programme, discussed water quality in South Dublin, while Clondalkin Sustainable Energy Community showed participants energy actions they can take at home. Finally, Native Events hosted a solar powered programme of panel discussions on resource use and energy.

The South Dublin Climate Innovation Fund supported Dublin Climate Action Week with €22,871.85 in 2022