Date: 29 Mar 2022
The Green Clubs Programme is a partnership between the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association and Local Authorities across Ireland.
This partnership has its origins in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Champions Programme launched by the Department of Communication, Climate Action, and Environment in September 2019. Both the GAA and Carlow County Council were among the twelve inaugural SDG Champions and initial informal discussions led to the establishment in January 2020 of an official Green Club partnership between the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association. The Green Club Steering Group, which includes representatives of Local Authority Climate Action Regional Offices (CARO) as well as representatives from the Regional Waste Management Offices, Local Authority Water Offices (LAWPROs) and other expert partners.
The Green Clubs programme is an all island initiative and aims to bring GAA clubs on a sustainability journey focusing on the themes of Energy, Waste, Transport, Water and Biodiversity with over 40 clubs from across. The programme recently received good news of funding from DECC under the National Sustainable Development Goals implementation plan. Due to Covid, expert partners and representatives from the pilot clubs met for the first time face to face in the amazing Connaught Centre for Excellence in Bekan Mayo on Saturday March 26th where we got to see a range of sustainability initiatives including, Photo Voltaic solar panels, Tree planting, waste management and recycling , Water recycling and Electric Vehicle Charge Points.
The Local Authorities are seen as a key enabler for the Green Clubs programme many of whom already offer supports to sports clubs and communities for environmental projects. A single point of contact has been agreed for each Local Authority where clubs looking for support or guidance can contact the Local Authority for advice. The local authority may in turn direct clubs to other expert partners involved in the programme including SEAI, Irish Water, The National Transport Authority and Road Safety Authority and the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
For more information on the programme https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/community-and-health/green-clubs-sustainability/
