Alicia Gowan’s Post

‼️The #JRC report “Assessment of the Covenant of Mayors initiative in the Southern Mediterranean region” highlights #CoMMed's crucial role in aligning local efforts with 🇪🇺 #EU climate goals. #CoMMed proves local action drives global change. It's not just about reducing emissions - it's about building resilient communities ready for the future. Exciting progress in climate action across the Southern Mediterranean! Despite challenges, CoM Med is thriving: 🏙️147 new cities joined 📝73 cities developed climate action plans #SEACAPs 🌎Spanning 7 countries Key achievements: ✅ Ambitious goal: Cut 4.5 Mt CO2-eq by 2030/2040 ✅ Focus on buildings (40% of reductions) and waste management (25%) ✅ Comprehensive climate risk analysis in each plan Throughout the years, CoM Med continues to grow, fostering a community of cities committed to a sustainable future. Together, we're building a greener, more resilient Mediterranean!🍀 Reach out the full artice and JRC report here 👇🏻👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/dWbupyCz European Union EU Science, Research and Innovation DAI Covenant of Mayors Mediterranean #sustainablecities #ClimateAction #RenewableFuture

The Covenant of Mayors initiative in the Southern Mediterranean, supported by the 🇪🇺 EU-funded Clima-Med project, continues to expand, welcoming 147 new signatories. 73 cities have developed Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs) across seven countries, setting a path toward a more sustainable future. These SEACAPs focus on climate mitigation and adaptation, with ambitious targets to cut 🌍💨4.5 Mt CO2 emissions by 2030/2040. Aligned with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of Southern Mediterranean countries, SEACAPs strengthen local contributions 🌍📈 to national and international climate goals. This alignment reinforces the region’s commitment to reducing emissions and building climate resilience. A recent report by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the scientific arm of the EU, highlights the vital role CoM Med plays in helping cities meet 🎯 climate targets. The growing number of cities joining the initiative underscores its impact in addressing climate change. #EU I EU Science, Research and Innovation I Covenant of Mayors Mediterranean I Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) I Clima-Med - Acting for Climate in South Mediterranean 🌍🌿#ClimateAction #SustainableCities #NDCs #MENA #NDCs 🔎 https://bit.ly/3Y6HBol

Climate Action is not only necessary, it’s an opportunity. Action can come in any number of forms; funding grants, public policy, education, growing kai, peaceful protest. The key word is ‘action’ - without it, the ‘pile up’ will only get bigger. List three actions your organisation can take before 2024 ends and act on them. Hīkina te wero koutou - take up the challenge 🤲🏽

Two Community Climate Action projects are having their 'closing' events in the next few days. On Friday from 12.30 to 1.30 there is a free webinar called 'Ómós Áite - Growing our approach to place-based learning', which will launch a series of resources for people working with place-based approaches to climate action. The resources have been developed in a partnership with Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Sonairte – the National Ecology Centre, the Burren College of Art and Carraig Dúlra Organic and Permaculture Farm. Featured Highlights include: - Irish as an ecological language, tapping into our native tradition to deepen our connection to place and nature - Minding ourselves and avoiding burnout - Navigating complexity in times of accelerating change - Building networks, put yourself on the map! - How can we make a living while effecting change? You can register for the webinar on this link - https://lnkd.in/ek4aS83b And then on Saturday, as you can see below, there is national event in Clonmel looking at the Community Climate Coaches Project. It is great to see some resources going into developing approaches to community climate action. The ecological transition we need will not happen without meaningful engagement with communities (and there is plenty of work to be done!) Both these projects help us move along the path we need to go. Both projects have been funded by the Community Climate Action Programme: Climate Education, Capacity Building and Learning by Doing (Strand 2) funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Environment Climate and Communications.

Great to see insights from the CNI Raasay blog

This is massive news. I am passionate about our heritage buildings but there is something very wrong with the system when safeguarding old buildings is deemed more important than protecting the occupants and the wider environment. Common sense has prevailed and we will now see far more pragmatic solutions. Bear in mind electricity, toilet facilities, boilers/heating and other modern day necessities weren't appropriate to most heritage properties and yet they have been adapted to accommodate them without destroying their charm and character. Buildings will always need to adapt. Indeed, climate adaptation and resilience requires modern solutions including many, like solar panels, which can be deemed temporary fixtures because when we get to a fully decarbonised grid we may not need all these measures in perpetuity. Thanks for sharing Jan. This is much appreciated as a progressive step in net zero strategies for domestic and non-domestic buildings.

At this time of year, images like this one pretty well reflect how we're all feeling: freezing cold but with a certain Christmas vibe. In my column I've discussed how Joyce's image of the snow falling across Ireland is as relevant to Ireland's political climate in the early 20th century as it is to its modern power market. Click the link to the full article in the comments below to find out how these things all connect

The City of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, has partnered with local First Nations for the Children’s Water Festival, which teaches foundational water topics including conservation, protection, science and technology. 💧 The annual event builds an appreciation and understanding of the value of water that includes a greater awareness of Indigenous teachings.    Learn from a member of ICLEI Canada and FCM’s Partners for Climate Protection program about how a #CDNmuni can build better relationships with Indigenous leaders: https://lnkd.in/gswVa9t4

The tide of change is coming. Historic England, the national heritage body in England, will encourage local councils to allow heat pumps, solar panels and insulation for Europe’s oldest housing stock, in new guidance seen as a turning point by climate and building experts. https://lnkd.in/egTv9Bde

WCRAQ and IRTE Ireland North Centre invite you to the Westminster Commission for Road Air Quality Emissions Reduction Workshop NI on October 9. Programme October 9 Olympic Suite 13:00 – 16:30 Admission free Speakers: Insights into electrification adoption – Nathan Wilson, Account & Area Sales Manager, United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland, Allison Transmission –Find out about the truth about what will happen to EV adoption. –Discover the benefits of EVs for air quality. –Learn about Allison Transmission’s role in moving the industry forward. Air quality in Northern Ireland: health, evidence and policy – Neil Rowland, Senior Research Fellow, Queen's Business School (QBS) –Discover research that has been carried out to better understand the single greatest environmental threat to public health in Northern Ireland – air pollution. –Learn how air quality improvements have been achieved over recent decades. –Understand what may need to be done to improve air quality in Northern Ireland to protect current and future generations. Followed by a Q&A Session with audience participation To attend this session, please contact am.knegt@visiecommunications.co.uk