Applications are now open for the Irish Governments new €500 million Climate Action Fund.

The fund, which will support initiatives from the public and private sector to help achieve climate and energy targets, is a central element of the Government's National Development Plan 2018-2027.

This call for applications, launched by Climate Change Minister Denis Naughten, will provide grant funding to larger scale projects – seeking total support in excess of €1m – that are scheduled to commence development in 2019 or 2020.

The types of projects that may be supported include;

• Renewable energy projects

• Energy efficiency projects

• District heating projects

• Local infrastructure projects (including electric vehicle charging networks); and

• Projects that enhance the standards of environmental protection

As the Climate Action Fund develops, further calls will be made.

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Announcing the first call, Minister Naughten said: "Today is a hugely significant day as I launch the first Call for Applications under the Government's Climate Action Fund. This Fund is one of the most innovative measures that we announced as part of Project Ireland 2040, where we have ring-fenced half a billion euro for projects that will have a practical and profound effect on the future of our nation and our environment. It's about turning innovative ideas into climate action and using this fund to support larger scale projects that would otherwise not be developed without this support from Government.

"The opportunities are endless and I would encourage people to be creative and solution focussed. Projects could range from electrifying our bus fleet, to expanding electric vehicles‘ charging infrastructure, or the development of district heating projects in our cities, to using farm and food waste as a source of renewable energy. The Fund is about a new way of problem solving in urban and rural communities, and in business and enterprise on climate and our environment."

Continuing, Mr Naughten said the Fund is about supporting projects that will decrease Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions and increase use of sustainable energy.

"Effective change is putting the levers for climate action into people's hands and the Climate Action Fund provides an unprecedented opportunity for communities, organisations and individuals," he said.

"The scale of the Climate Action Fund demonstrates the support by the Government in achieving the objectives of the National Mitigation Plan and Project Ireland 2040 – in particular achieving a sustainable, low-carbon society."

(LM/MH)