Learn how Laois Council is taking a leadership role on climate action in partnership with local communities – working to reach its own climate targets while helping the wider county to do the same.
The video series highlights projects including: retrofitting council houses; supporting Tidy Towns; Laois libraries new program “Stepping Stones to Sustainability”; energy efficiency measures; key infrastructure projects supporting active and sustainable travel; refurbishing and repurposing derelict buildings and working towards the achievement of Portlaoise as low carbon town. Enjoy this exciting video series!
A Snapshot of the Video Series:
The formation of Laois County Council’s Climate Action Team and ongoing climate actions in the Council:
In 2021, Laois County Council signed up as a partner in the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and continues to work with communities and across sections of the council to have a positive impact on biodiversity and pollinators.
In Mountrath Wildlife Amenity Park, Laois County Council engaged a landscape architect to showcase how to work with nature in our local amenity areas:
Here, we see how award winning Abbeyleix Climate Action Project, with support from Laois County Council among others, creatively engages the community in meaningful climate actions:
The Triogue Way is a recent intervention across Portlaoise to support a shift to the bike for some 5000 cars that drive 15 mins to school and/or work every morning in the town:
Laois County Council sponsors Climate Literacy programme for all Transition Years in Secondary School in the County. Find out more about this new approach to education on climate action which incorporates teacher training:
In 2022, Laois County Council retrofitted 160 of their housing stock improving the livability of these homes with measures including: external insulation wraps, new windows and doors and heat pumps replacing fossil fuels and new radiators:
Hear from some of the residents and their experiences with the Laois County Council retrofit programme – homes going from BER E3 to A2 and saving €2000 a year on heating bills!
Laois Libraries, who at their core are a sustainable service, talk about some of their climate action initiatives; Codema Energy Kits for free use to public, Stepping Stones to Sustainability education and the Europe Direct centre supplying information on the European Green Deal:
See how Laois County Council are leading with “Green Public Procurement” by sourcing goods and services with a reduced environmental impact:
Laois County Council’s IT Department are reducing the carbon footprint of the council services with initiatives including: a digital first policy, an online consultation portal, supporting remote working and MyCoCo for many of the Council’s services:
Laois County Council are delivering improved infrastructure to support active travel including new walking routes, safe cycling and scooting. Every active journey is a climate action!
John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, brings us through the development of Portlaoise Low Carbon Town. The physical evidence of this transition is visible in the town’s streetscape, facilities, services and in our actions together as a community:
More from John Mulholland, Chief Executive on the Portlaoise Low Carbon Town Project. John Mulholland, Chief Executive illuminates the Portlaoise Low Carbon Town Project: