The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, has announced almost €27 million in funding from the Climate Action Fund to support local authorities in building low-carbon communities across the country.

The funding, part of phase two of the Community Climate Action Programme, will enable local authorities to partner with community groups on projects aimed at reducing emissions and meeting national climate and energy targets.

The programme supports projects under five key themes: community energy, travel, food and waste, shopping and recycling, and local climate and environmental action.

Mr O’Brien said local communities were central to Ireland’s climate effort. “Through the Community Climate Action Programme, people in towns and villages nationwide have already come together to make real change, from installing solar panels on community centres to restoring biodiversity and reducing energy use in public buildings,” he said.

Community Climate Action Officers in each local authority will oversee the scheme and provide guidance and support to groups interested in applying.

Dublin City Council will receive the largest allocation at €1.94 million, followed by Cork County (€1.24 million) and Fingal (€1.13 million). Smaller allocations include Leitrim (€300,000) and Longford (€328,000).

Details of the local officers are available on the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment website.