Press release

Minister O'Brien announces new funding of almost €35 million to underpin climate action in our communities

From: Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
Published on: 16 February 2026
Last updated on: 16 February 2026

€30 million to support local climate action – under the EU Just Transition Fund – to continue the economic, environmental, and social transformation of the Midlands region
An increase of €4.9 million in funding for local authority climate action nationally
Minister agrees new Climate Action Charter to be signed with 31 local authorities

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has announced significant new funding of almost €35 million to further support local authorities as they continue to drive forward climate action in our communities. This funding underpins the continued commitment of Government to local climate action and recognises the key role of local authorities in supporting communities as we transition to a climate neutral economy.

€30 million START Scheme to support local climate action

As part of the European Union's Just Transition Fund (EU JTF) programme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU, €30 million is being provided to local authorities in the Midlands EU Just Transition Territory to support their local climate action. The new scheme, Supporting a Sustainable Transition through Climate Action for a Resilient Territory (START) will support local authority-led Climate Action Plan infrastructure projects and feasibility studies that align with the EU JTF programme. The types of projects that local authorities can submit for consideration under this closed call include but are not limited to:

Renewable energy solutions, enhancing community engagement, promoting sustainability
Enhancing energy efficiency of public and community buildings
Active travel and sustainable transport
Transforming former landfill sites into tourism/recreational spaces, developing community/heritage spaces, enhancing public amenities

Additional €4.9 million for Local Authority Climate Action

A further €4.9 million is also being made to support Local Authority climate action across Ireland. This will break down as follows:

The 3 Irish cities in the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission – Cork, Dublin and Galway – will be able to access funding of €2 million next year. This will help the cities to deliver projects which move them to becoming climate neutral by 2030.
A new fund of €1.5 million will be set up to assist local authorities with their Decarbonising Zones (DZs). DZs are spatial areas which have been selected by local authorities as the focus for climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity projects.
There is a new €2.5 million European Regional Development Fund scheme for local authorities in the northern and western region. It offers funding for local projects in Decarbonising Zones on adaptation or the protection of biodiversity and green infrastructure. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is committing €1 million in funding.
Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) will receive €2.4 million in 2026 – an increase of €400,000. The offices support local authorities to deliver climate action, helping them develop local climate plans and sharing best practice across the regions.

These announcements follow a funding commitment at the end of 2025 of €26.9 million to fund community climate action projects and a Community Climate Action Officer in each local authority to 2027.

Commenting on the funding, Minister O'Brien said:

"Our local authorities are the leaders in making sustainability at a community level a reality. Through the Community Climate Action Programme, hundreds of projects across communities have been and will be funded with the support of over €50 million from the Climate Action Fund from 2023 to 2027. I’m delighted now to announce, in addition, the launch of a new €30 million Just Transition scheme investing further in the Midlands, and to increased climate funding for local authorities in 2026 of almost €5 million. This funding demonstrates our commitment to local authorities and communities, supporting them to deliver the meaningful, place-based climate action required for their specific needs."

Commenting on the launch of the START scheme, Clare Bannon, Acting Director for Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, said:

"EMRA is looking forward to launching the START scheme which marks a transformative moment for the wider Midlands region. With this vital boost of investment in the region from government and European Union funding sources, we can empower local decisive climate action, fostering greener and more resilient communities that support the unique character and history of the region."

Pobal CEO, Anna Shakespeare, said:

"Pobal is pleased to support the administration of the START programme under the EU Just Transition Fund, on behalf of the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly. This investment will enable local authorities, and the organisations they work with, to progress projects that strengthen local resilience, improve public amenities, and support communities as they navigate the transition to a more sustainable future. We look forward to working with local authorities across the Midlands region to ensure they have the guidance and supports needed to bring forward impactful, community‑focused projects."

Commenting on the additional funding being made available to local authorities, Frank Curran, Chair of the County and City Management Association's (CCMA) Environment, Climate and Circular Economy Committee and Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

"We welcome this important increase in government funding, which strengthens our ability to deliver practical, community focused climate action. The updated Climate Action Charter between government and local authorities recognises that local authorities are uniquely placed to provide strong leadership at local and regional level. With statutory Climate Action Plans already in place, and with targeted support for climate neutral city initiatives, investment in our Decarbonising Zones, and the continued work of the Climate Action Regional Offices, today’s announcement gives councils further resources to accelerate climate action and help to build resilient, sustainable communities."

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

EU JTF (EU Just Transition Fund)

The START programme will be administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA).

Local authorities or local authority led partnerships in the Just Transition Fund region will lead the delivery of these projects, from identifying local priorities and applying for funding, to working with community partners on implementation. They may partner with community groups, NGOs and other organisations, but will remain the lead partner and accountable body for each project.

Local authorities in the eligible JTF region – that is, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, Galway (Ballinasloe), Kildare (Clane-Maynooth and Athy), and Tipperary (Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles) – will play a central role in delivering projects under this programme. They will identify suitable projects, co-ordinate and submit expressions of interest, apply for funding, and, where successful, enter into grant agreements. They will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting on each project.

The first stage in the process, comprised of an Expressions of Interest, is opening on 12 February 2026. Other key dates for the START scheme are as follows:

Expression of Interest closing date is 13 March 2026
Opens to applications (both strands) on 21 April 2026
Infrastructure Projects (Strand 1) closing date is 2 June 2026
Feasibility Studies (Strand 2) closing date is 30 June 2026

Local Authority Climate Action

As set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, each local authority was required to prepare a Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LA CAP) specifying the mitigation and the adaptation measures to be adopted.

Since 2022, the department has provided €13.5 million in funding to all local authorities to support their local climate plans. See more on the department's website.

Community Climate Action Programme

The Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) provides funding to community groups to run projects that will contribute to national climate and energy targets. The diverse initiatives made possible by the CCAP include the development of community gardens and composting systems, as well as the installation of renewable energy systems, EV chargers, bike racks, water refill stations, lighting upgrades, and rainwater harvesting systems around the country.

Between 2023 and 2026, €24 million was provided to 650 individual projects and supported each local authority to engage a dedicated Community Climate Action Officer (CCAO) to facilitate the community groups. This was extended to a further 40 cross-border projects with the addition of €3 million from the Shared Island Fund. In October 2025, a further phase was launched, with €26.9 million committed to retain the CCAOs to the end of the programme (in 2027).

Decarbonising Zones

Each local authority has selected a Decarbonising Zone (DZ) as part of its LA CAP. A DZ is a spatial area identified by a local authority in which a range of climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity measures are identified to address local low carbon energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate needs. See more on the department's website.

EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission

The European Commission set up the EU Cities Mission in 2021. Its aim is to support 100 cities in the EU to become climate neutral by 2030 and to pave the way for all cities in Europe to be climate neutral by 2050. See more on the department's website.

Climate Action Regional Offices

In 2018, 4 Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) were formed as a local authority shared service in recognition of the need to build capacity within the local government sector to respond and adapt to climate change.

For more information on the CAROs see the CARO website.

Climate Action Charter

The Climate Action Charter between local and national government was first introduced in 2019. The charter has now been updated so that it aligns with the latest climate action policy context. It recognises that a whole-of-government approach is essential in addressing climate change. Central government has a lead role to play in developing policy and ensuring resources are made available to realise Ireland's climate and sustainability commitments, while local authorities are ideally placed to provide robust leadership in advancing this objective at the local and regional level.