Sarah Kent: Climate Action Regional Officer

What is your job title?

My current job title is Regional Officer for the East and Midlands Climate Action Regional Office (CARO). The CARO is set up to coordinate and facilitate climate action and build capacity within the local authority sector. The East and Midlands CARO covers 17 local authorities. My colleagues in the CARO are based in Kildare, as Kildare County Council is the host of the Eastern & Midlands CARO. I sit with the Climate Action Team in Kilkenny, as the CARO is supported by Kilkenny County Council as a partner local authority.

When did you start working in Kilkenny County Council?

I started working with Kilkenny County Council in early February.

What does your new role entail?

The CAROs develop an annual covers six key areas:

• Governance & Partnership
• Local Authority Climate Action Plans
• Adaptation
• Mitigation
• Training and Education
• Communication and Citizen Engagement
• Knowledge Development

My role is to support specific actions and projects under each of these key areas. My main focus is on mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions), specifically energy management and decarbonisation within local authority buildings and fleet. While there is significant progress ongoing in energy efficiency in buildings, decarbonising the fleet remains a major challenge for local authorities and the wider transport sector.

Where did you work before this position?

In my most recent position, I worked in consulting, supporting various organisations in setting up systems for energy management and carbon emissions management using international standards and frameworks. In 2021, through my role at the South East Energy Agency, I supported the Kilkenny County Council in achieving ISO 50001 certification for Energy Management. Since returning to the council in a different capacity, it is great to see the completion of local authorities' climate action plans in 2024, the establishment of climate teams to support the execution and achievement of these actions.  There is now a clear and strong momentum and collaboration across the Council Services to support climate action for a sustainable future.

What’s the best book you’ve read recently? 

I haven't been reading much lately, but I really enjoy listening to podcasts. My listening is quite random and varied. Some climate-related podcasts I like and would recommend are:

• Hot Mess from RTE
• The Climate Question by the BBC
• The Climate Ambassador
• Book of Leaves

How important is the issue of Climate Change/Action to you personally?

Climate change is not just an abstract concept to me; it's a pressing reality that affects every aspect of our lives. As someone deeply committed to environmental sustainability, I feel my current role allows me to actively contribute to meaningful change. Whether it's improving energy efficiency in local authority fleet, promoting sustainable practices, or engagement to raise awareness, I strive to be a catalyst for solution focused positive change.

This commitment extends to my personal life as well, where I aim to make conscious choices to live sustainably. I believe that personal responsibility is key to driving collective action.

One of my current personal projects, which is in the very early stages, is my home gardening initiative. I hope to incorporate sustainable gardening practices, and thankfully, I have colleagues here at the council who are hugely insightful and supportive for a novice like me in this particular area.