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Energy management
The Council recognises that Climate Change is a global problem which if not addressed, will have far reaching effects on the county’s economy, society and environment.
Human activities are a contributing factor to climate change through the release of substantial amounts of greenhouse gases into the earth’s atmosphere, as a consequence of the burning of fossil fuels and also as a result of activities in the agricultural, industrial and waste sectors.
Some greenhouse gases occur naturally however, there is mounting evidence that greenhouse gases are building up in the atmosphere and the resulting rise in the Earth's temperature contributes to more extreme and unstable weather conditions.
The National Climate Change Strategy 2008 – 2012 (http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/ClimateChange/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,1861,en.pdf) acknowledges the significant influence that local authorities can have over the emissions in their local area both directly through their own energy use and procurement activities, in raising awareness and stimulating action in local communities and indirectly through the exercise of their housing, planning and other statutory functions.
In this regard WCC are currently preparing a Climate Change Strategy for Westmeath through its Environment & Water Services Stategic Policy Committee. This strategy will identify immediate and practical steps for direct and indirect action by this Council with regard to the timetables and targets contained within the national strategy.
