Suzanne Dempsey, Climate Action Co-ordinator presented to Climate Action Staff from across Ireland on her experience of delivering Portlaoise Low Carbon Town Project as it was designated a a demonstration decarbonising zone in previous National Climate Action Plans.
Dr. Quentin Crowley of Trinity College Dublin highlighted the pilot course Systems Innovation for Sustainable Enterprises and Communities (SISEC), developed in partnership with Laois County Council. Run over three months in early 2024 in Portlaoise. This course brought together 40 participants from 32 organisations from public, private, and voluntary sectors, creating a model of community-based learning that other local authorities expressed interest in adopting.
Vanessa Langford, Marketing Manager at Midlands Park Hotel, shared her experiences as a participant on the SISEC course, particularly applying Systems Thinking from the course to her work and personal sustainability efforts through the hotel’s “Champions for Change” Green Team.
Megan Best, CEO of Native Events, spoke about greening festivals, referencing Native Events’ work with Laois County Council to develop the "Green Your Festival Kit" for sustainable event management.