The City and County Management Association, on behalf of local authorities, and the GAA have announced an innovative new initiative pledging to work together to lead their communities in promoting sustainability and climate action.
The partnership will capitalise on the leadership roles both organisations have within their communities, and the potential they have to engage with citizens of all ages to promote sustainable local development, environmental awareness and climate action.
A steering group, composed of representatives from the Local Authority sector, the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association, have begun work on the development of a Green Club toolkit, which will be piloted in 2020 ahead of the roll-out of a National Green Club Support Plan in 2021.
The Green Club toolkit, which will be piloted across a small number of clubs throughout the country, will be focused on the key action areas of Energy & Water Efficiency, Biodiversity, Waste Management & Plastic Use and Transport
Sustainable Club and Community Partnership projects include:
· Development of a Sustainable Club
· Sustainable Club Workshops
· Promotion and Support of Sustainable Energy Communities
· A Sustainable Development Goal Action Module in the GAA/PDST TY Future Leaders Programme, with contributions across GAA/LGFA/Camogie Association input at all levels of the Mainstream Education System (with the Department of Education and Skills)
· Green Procurement Guidelines and Support
· Further Developing Croke Park as a World Exemplar Stadium in Sustainable Development
· Alignment to Statutory Funding Streams
Michael Walsh, CCMA Chairman said, “The GAA and local authorities both represent local leadership, community, legacy and vision. We each have relevant networks, knowledge, existing partners and facilities. Working together we can have huge impact and enable the necessary behavioural change in our communities.”