Strategy

The Department of Transport published its Strategic Approach to Public Engagement on Climate Action and Sustainable Mobility 2024-25 in May 2024. It aims to strengthen the social contract between the public and the State for climate action and sustainable mobility through an inclusive programme of engagement at national, regional and community levels and to empower the people of Ireland to take climate action.

The Strategic Approach includes three high level objectives:

1. Engage the public in policy-making – through existing initiatives such as the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) and through statutory and nonstatutory public consultation on new initiatives (new strategies, infrastructural projects, or other policy measures).

2. Narrow the “Awareness-Intention” gap – where the stated understanding of a behaviour’s importance (for example, to drive less) is often higher than the stated intention to make that behavioural change, it will be crucial to support people to close this gap through continuing to improve sustainable mobility infrastructure and services and through targeted engagement initiatives.

The objectives outlined in the Strategy are an integral part of the Whole-of-Government approach to climate engagement and communications, as outlined in Climate Action Plan 2024, and are aligned with Ireland’s commitment to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 13, ‘Climate Action’, and 11, ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’.

Figure from page 20

Figure from page 20

3. Increase in the Sustainability Tracker Sentiment as part of a survey of a nationally representative sample that will run at least twice per year. This score will track changes in public attitudes over time towards walking, cycling and public transport and reduced car usage.

across key transport areas. These pilot projects aim to determine the most effective and cost-effective methods for encouraging sustainable transport behaviours, with results potentially guiding broader implementation.

In addition to these efforts, there are ongoing workstreams focused on reviewing regulatory opportunities for car advertising and car labelling (CO2 emissions and fuel efficiency) to support the overall strategy’s objectives.

In this context, the following initiatives are in place:

Your Journey Counts, a multi-year, multimillion-euro national advertising campaign launched in August 2023. The campaign aims to provide a vision for Ireland’s transport system and the necessary developments to achieve it.