The construction sector is set to benefit from a new wave of community-level projects across Ireland after the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien, announced that almost €27 million is being provided from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to local authorities. This substantial allocation is Phase 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP), which supports the physical development and creation of low-carbon communities nationwide.

The funding is designed to facilitate local authorities in partnering with community groups to deliver projects that will make a measurable contribution to national climate and energy targets. The initial phase of this programme had previously supported 650 community climate action projects across the country with €24m. The current €27m injection will continue to support direct engagement with communities, enabling the scale-up of local climate action.

Projects eligible for the funding and guidance will cover a range of themes, many of which involve an element of construction or infrastructural development, such as:

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• Community Energy: Supporting physical interventions like building retrofits, the installation of solar panels, and LED lighting in community centres.

• Travel: Likely involving the construction or maintenance of facilities for shared bike schemes and new transport options.

• Food and Waste, Shopping and Recycling, and Local Climate and Environmental Action: These themes include initiatives like biodiversity restoration and other site-specific improvements.

Speaking at the launch, Minister O'Brien emphasised the importance of construction work already completed under the programme, such as the installation of solar panels and the reduction of energy use in public buildings.

"Taking climate action is a global challenge, but our local communities across Ireland are at the heart of the effort," Minister O'Brien said. "Through the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP), people in towns and villages nationwide have already come together to make real change — from installing solar panels on community centres, to creating shared bike schemes, restoring local biodiversity, and reducing energy use in public buildings. With the launch of the new phase of CCAP, local authorities can continue empowering community groups to take practical steps that build vibrant, low-carbon, and resilient communities for generations to come."

The programme will be administered by Community Climate Officers (CCAO) in the local authorities, who are responsible for guiding, supporting, and advising groups and organisations as they transition to lower carbon communities. The Climate Action Fund was originally established on a statutory basis in 2020 to provide support for projects and initiatives that contribute to Ireland's climate and energy targets.