Climate Connected Ireland

Climate Connected

We are connecting individuals and communities to promote real sustainability actions. We build an easy to use set of tools that support people and communities to take the steps needed to help reduce climate change. There are supports to build an active and effective group in your community to make plan for the local area to reduce carbon emissions. This also includes help for getting people in Irish communities more involved.

Episodes

  1. Jul 1

    Cranmore Community Co-op: Caroline & Lisa Interview

    This interview offers valuable lessons for communities wishing to establish similar initiatives. The first recommendation is listen before acting.Conduct a community needs assessment through surveys, conversations or community forums to understand what local people genuinely want. Building projects around community priorities creates lasting engagement and ownership. Secondly, start small and grow gradually. Cranmorebegan with achievable projects that addressed immediate needs before expanding into wider climate and biodiversity programmes. Early successes help build confidence, attract volunteers and demonstrate visible benefits.

  2. 10/16/2025

    Westside Resource Centre – find a supportive, local ecosystem to begin your sustainability project.

    In this podcast, Maeve speaks with James Coyne, the CEO of the Galway Westside Resource Centre, about how his community-focused organisation is tackling climate and environmental issues from the ground up. The Westside Resource Centre is a hub for the community where people can find resources and make connections to help kickstart their sustainability actions – there are resource centres and community hubs throughout Ireland: find yours and start your own action.

  3. 10/02/2025

    Mulranny: Use what's in your community to develop it sustainably

    In this podcast episode, Maeve interviews Carol Loftus, of the Sustainable Energy Community in Mulranny, Mayo. The discussion highlights the journey of Mulranny from a fading tourist spot to a thriving model of community-driven sustainable development. Carol outlines how projects emerged, how local people were mobilised, how outside expertise and funding were drawn in, and how sustainability has been woven into tourism, energy, and heritage initiatives.

  4. 09/03/2025

    Mulranny Community Futures with Sean Carolan

    The Mulranny Community story demonstrates that transformative climate and community action is possible through a structured model of deep community engagement, respectful collaboration, and strategic coordination. It proves that when citizens are genuinely empowered to design their own future, they generate innovative, locally-suited solutions that also contribute to global sustainability goals. The resources and templates are available through the climateconnected.ie site HERE, offering a powerful and replicable blueprint for other communities across Ireland and beyond.

  5. 06/04/2025

    The wider sustainability co-op experience Ireland and Europe

    In Episode 2 of the Climate ConnectedPodcast, we spoke with Stephanie Brennan, Project Assistant at the Aran Islands Energy Co-op (Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann), a community-owned initiative driving the islands toward energy self-sufficiency and carbon neutrality. Stephanie explains how small communities can driveglobal change—by testing solutions locally and scaling lessons continent-wide. Key Takeaways: CFOAT Community Ownership: Founded in 2012, the co-op operates on a one-person, one-share model, ensuring local control. Three-Pillar Approach: Retrofitting homes (60% of island houses now insulated). Electrifying heat and transport (early adopters of EVs and heat pumps). Generating renewable energy (solar panels, with plans for a microgrid). Local Benefits: Lower energy bills, increased comfort, and resilience against extreme weather (e.g., storms disrupting mainland grids). European Collaboration:The islands serve as a lighthouse community, testing innovations scalable across Europe, with partnerships in projects like the EU’s Clean Energy for EU Islands. Lessons for Other Communities: Start small: The co-op began with volunteers and grew gradually. Leverage grants: SEAI schemes and EU funding were critical. Build trust: "Solar Meitheals" (group installations) reduced costs and fostered buy-in. Share knowledge: Resources like Climate Connected and The Wheel help communities navigate projects. Stephanie emphasized that climate action is practical—cutting costs, creating jobs, and preserving island culture. European Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing Stephanie highlighted the Aran Islands Energy Co-op’s roleas a "lighthouse community" for European clean energy transitions, partnering with initiatives like: Clean Energy for EU Islands: The co-op is part of theEU’s 30x30 initiative, where 30 islands aim for decarbonization by 2030. Stephanie attended conferences like the recent gathering in the Azores (Portugal), connecting with other island communities to share challenges and solutions. Horizon Europe Projects: The co-op serves as a pilotsite for EU-funded projects testing renewable energy tech, such as microgrids and energy-sharing models. For example, Stephanie visited Borås (Sweden) and islands in Spain’s Canary archipelago to study their community wind turbines and solar microgrids. Peer Learning: Collaborations with islands like Madeira(Portugal) and Bornholm (Denmark) revealed sharedhurdles (e.g., planning restrictions in protected areas) and innovative funding workarounds (e.g., 100% grant-dependent models). Key Insights from European Partners: Microgrids: In northern Spain, Stephanie saw how 5 households + a school shared a solar farm—a model the Aran Islands hope to replicate if Irish regulations evolve. Funding Strategies: Madeira’s experience showed the need for full grant coverage (not partial) for island projects, shaping the co-op’s approach to EU applications. Youth Engagement: Inspired by Danish islands, the co-op now involves young people in prototyping tech like tidal energy.

  6. 06/04/2025

    An Energy Co-operative on the Aran Islands, Galway

    Why Should You Hear This? Find out how a community sustainability group can be set up. What a co-op can offer. What can be achieved by people with a profound but simple vision coming together for the good of their community.The Aran Islands Energy Cooperative (CFOAT -Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileáin Árann Teoranta) is a community-led initiative focused on sustainable energy and environmental conservation for the Aran Islands, located off the west coast of Ireland. CFOAT is a leading example of how small, remote communities can drive the transition to clean energy while preserving cultural and environmental heritage. CFOAT was established in 2014 as a response to the islands'reliance on imported fossil fuels and the need for energy independence. The cooperative was founded by local residents, businesses, and stakeholders whosought to transition the Aran Islands (Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, and Inis Oírr) to renewable energy. The cooperative gained momentum through participation inEuropean projects, such as the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative, which supports remote communities in adopting sustainable energy solutions. CFOAT collaborates with academic institutions (e.g., NUIGalway), government agencies (SEAI, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland), and private sector partners to implement renewable energy projects. Renewable Energy Projects: Installed solar PV systems on public buildings and homes.Explored wind and tidal energy potential for the islands.Implemented energy efficiency upgrades to reduce consumption.Community Engagement & Education: Conducted workshops and training programs to raise awareness about energy efficiency and renewables.Engaged local schools and businesses in sustainabilityinitiatives.Tourism & Sustainability: Promoted eco-tourism by integrating renewable energy into local infrastructure.Advocated for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and sustainable transport options.Policy Influence: CFOAT has been a key voice in advocating for policy changes to support island communities in energy transitions. Future Goals Expand offshore wind and hydrogen energy trials.Secure additional funding for large-scale renewableprojects.Strengthen partnerships with national and European cleanenergy initiatives.Connected Website: https://climateconnected.ie/ CFOAT Website: https://www.aranislandsenergycoop.ie/

  • 6 Episodes

About

We are connecting individuals and communities to promote real sustainability actions. We build an easy to use set of tools that support people and communities to take the steps needed to help reduce climate change. There are supports to build an active and effective group in your community to make plan for the local area to reduce carbon emissions. This also includes help for getting people in Irish communities more involved.

Information

  • Creator
    Climate Connected
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Climate Connected
  • Show Website
    Climate Connected Ireland