Climate action teams are helping communities adapt to climate change
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face, and local government plays an important role in how Ireland responds.
Every local authority is now working on climate action plans. These plans cover practical steps such as cutting energy use in public buildings, supporting communities to deal with floods or storms, and making transport more sustainable.
Climate action staff in local authorities are co-ordinating this work. Their job is to connect national climate policy with local projects and to make sure communities benefit from climate action.
Climate action teams play a vital role
Every local authority in Ireland now has a climate action team. Their role is to support how councils respond to climate change in ways that make a difference locally. A big part of the role is helping to prepare and deliver the council’s climate action plan. This can mean everything from cutting energy use in council buildings, to supporting local projects that make communities more resilient to floods, storms, or heatwaves.
But the role goes further. Climate action teams work to build knowledge and expertise across the sector. They run awareness campaigns, advise councillors and staff, and make sure that new projects and policies are climate proofed. They also track progress, report on results, and link the council’s work to national programmes and funding opportunities.
All this requires a mix of skills: technical knowledge about climate change, strong communication and teamwork, and the ability to manage projects and budgets. Above all, climate action teams must be able to connect policy with practical action that benefits local communities.
A day in the life of a Climate Action Co-ordinator
For Tina Ryan, Climate Action Co-ordinator with Galway County Council, no two days look the same. With a background in environmental science and experience across several council departments, she was drawn to the role because of her long-standing interest in helping people live more sustainably.
What she enjoys most is the variety of the work. Local climate action runs through almost every part of a council’s activities, from waste management to planning and roads, so Tina collaborates with colleagues across many different teams. There is also a strong public-facing side to her role. On a given week she might be helping a local community group apply for funding through the Community Climate Action Fund, or taking part in an event designed to promote sustainability.
Tina sees climate action not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity that can bring real benefits to communities. She points to reduced energy costs as one example: when homes are retrofitted or communities switch to renewable energy, bills go down. Community groups, from Men’s Sheds to sports clubs, have already seen the positive effects of these changes. It's clear that local authority climate action can deliver practical improvements in people’s lives while building a more sustainable future.
How to begin a career on a climate action team
There is no single path into the role. Each local authority in Ireland now has a climate action team, and team members come from many different backgrounds. Some have studied environmental science or engineering, while others have experience in planning, heritage, architecture, or communications.
Succeeding as a member of the team means drawing on diverse skills. Climate action staff need to be able to manage projects and budgets. They also need to understand how local councils work and how climate change affects different services, from housing to roads. Just as important is the ability to explain ideas clearly and to work well with colleagues, councillors, and local communities.
Climate action across Ireland
Tina Ryan’s work in Galway is just one example of what is happening all over the country. Every local authority now has a climate action plan. Local authorities are supporting communities, improving public services and helping Ireland adapt and make the transition to a low-carbon future.
A new national report - now published on this website - brings all of this work together. The report shows the wide range of projects being delivered across Ireland’s 31 local authorities, from energy efficiency measures to community climate funds and adaptation projects. The report is a useful resource for anyone who wants to understand how local climate action in Ireland is being put into practice.
Resources
- The 2024 Local Government Climate Action Key Performance Indicators Report
- LocalGov.ie has information about local government's role in climate action
- Vacancies for climate action roles in local authorities are advertised on LocalGovernmentJobs.ie