A Decarbonising Zone (DZ) is a spatial area chosen by a local authority to work together with communities to reduce carbon emissions, improve biodiversity and mitigate and adapt to changes in the climate. A range of measures are taken in this area to contribute to national climate targets as set out in the National Climate Action Plan 2024 but must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 7% per annum from 2021 to 2030 (51% reduction over the decade).

Mullingar Town has been designated as the DZ for Westmeath. Mullingar town is an urban area with a population of approx. 22,667 as defined in Census 2022. The total land area of Mullingar is approx. 15.48km² and includes 75 small areas under 3 Electoral Divisions (Mullingar North Urban, Mullingar South, Urban and Mullingar Rural). It is envisioned that Mullingar town will undertake a range of climate change mitigation measures which will contribute to meeting national climate action targets. Mullingar will be used as a test bed in Westmeath to showcase what is possible for decarbonisation and climate action at a local and community level. Through a system of experimentation and evaluation Mullingar will endeavour to undertake the objectives in a flexible, incremental and community driven approach to deliver its objectives.

Read more in Westmeath County Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029