Climate Action

Welcome to the Kilkenny County Council Climate Action webpage. On this platform we will update you on key information that will inform you on climate action activities, funding and inspiring ideas that are happening throughout County Kilkenny.

Join our Kilkenny Going Green network here to hear about the latest grants, advice, and supports, and to follow Kilkenny County Council’s climate action journey.

Email: climate@kilkennycoco.ie

Kilkenny County Council renews commitment to EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

Kilkenny County Council has renewed its commitment to the EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, a voluntary initiative of local governments in Europe. In doing so the Council has committed, alongside other EU local authorities, to reduce greenhouse gas emission, strengthen resilience to climate change, and address energy poverty.

Community Energy Hub

The Community Energy Hub is a new initiative to help households, community groups, and businesses to reduce energy use, and avail of grants. It was developed by the South East Energy Agency, in partnership with the Library Services in Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford and Waterford. The hub provides expert information on energy grants (online), plus monthly face-to-face drop in clinics with an energy engineer in local libraries. For more information, visit your local library.

Energy-Hub

Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicles are part of the Council's "Kilkenny Going Green" drive. Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels in the Council's fleet will help us to meet our emissions targets. Keep an eye out for the new EV's which Kilkenny Civil Defence and the Machinery Yard purchased in 2024.

Lighting the Way

The Council has changed almost 80% of the 12,000 street lights in the county into energy efficient LED lights. Public lighting uses over 30% of all the energy consumed by Kilkenny County Council, and generates 41% of the Council's greenhouse gas emissions. Changing to LED lights is better for the climate, it cuts energy use in half, reduced CO2 emissions and saves public money. See the National Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project here.

PLEEP

Housing Retrofits

To date, between 2023 and 2024 Kilkenny County Council have retrofitted 76 social houses to improve energy efficiency and home comfort. This is part of the Council's commitment to reducing energy use and carbon emissions, and supporting a just climate transition. The photo below shows the finished result of a typical external insulation retrofit showing attic vents, new windows, and a new front door.

Housing-retrofit

Kilkenny County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029

Kilkenny County Council adopted its inaugural Climate Action Plan in February 2024.

The Plan sets out how the Council will respond to the climate crisis by improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and embedding climate resilience across the organisation. It also addresses how the Council will adopt a leadership role in the county by supporting local communities, businesses and other stakeholders to take climate action.

The Plan’s vision is that Kilkenny County Council will be “A climate resilient organisation that inspires and supports the County’s transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, sustainable and carbon neutral economy by 2050”.

The Plan, which contains 95 actions, was adopted following extensive public and stakeholder consultation, gathering scientific data, and deliberations by the Elected Representatives and Staff of Kilkenny County Council. Click here to view the final Kilkenny County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029.