Belcarra hosts climate awareness through art exhibition – westernpeople.ie

Report on Belcarra’s Community Initiative for Sustainable Development

Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Belcarra Tidy Towns Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) has executed a community engagement initiative centered on climate awareness. The project, manifested as an art exhibition, serves as a key component of the community’s Energy Master Plan (EMP). This initiative directly supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – Promoting climate literacy among young students.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Facilitating community transition towards sustainable energy solutions.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Enhancing community resilience and commitment to environmental sustainability.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Taking tangible local action to combat climate change.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Demonstrating effective collaboration between public, private, and community sectors.

Project Component 1: Climate Education and Awareness (SDG 4 & SDG 13)

A primary objective of the initiative was to foster climate action awareness through education, directly addressing SDG 4 and SDG 13. This was achieved through a climate-themed art competition and subsequent exhibition hosted at Belcarra National School.

1. Competition Details: The competition engaged local students, encouraging creative expression on environmental themes. A prize fund of €300 was distributed among seven awardees.
2. Public Art Installation: To create a lasting educational impact and a public symbol of climate commitment, three winning artworks will be permanently installed along Belcarra’s riverside walk. This serves as a continuous visual reminder to the community about the importance of climate action.

Project Component 2: Advancing Clean Energy and Sustainable Communities (SDG 7 & SDG 11)

The event was strategically linked to the development of Belcarra’s Energy Master Plan (EMP), a foundational document for achieving SDG 7 and SDG 11 at the local level. The EMP, supported by a €20,000 grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), aims to create a roadmap for a sustainable community.

• Energy Information Dissemination: The exhibition included informational stands from SEAI and various energy service companies (Westquay Energy, Churchfield Home Services) to provide residents with practical guidance on home energy upgrades and available grants, promoting access to affordable and clean energy.
• Energy Master Plan Objectives: The EMP, set to be launched next year, will formally outline strategies for:
  • Maximizing energy savings across the community.
  • Integrating renewable energy generation.
  • Ensuring long-term community sustainability.

Project Component 3: Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration (SDG 17)

The success of the initiative underscores the importance of partnerships for achieving sustainable development goals. The project was a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders:

• Community Leadership: Belcarra Tidy Towns SEC and the Tidy Towns committee.
• Governmental Support: The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
• Educational Sector: Belcarra National School.
• Private Sector: Energy consultant Laurence O’Reilly and commercial energy service providers.

Mary Prendergast, Chair of the Belcarra Tidy Towns SEC, noted that the event successfully encouraged “important conversations around energy and climate action,” highlighting the project’s role in mobilizing the entire community towards shared sustainability goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article highlights a climate-themed art competition and exhibition involving Belcarra National School, which serves to educate and raise awareness among students about climate issues.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The core of the initiative is the development of an Energy Master Plan (EMP) focusing on energy savings, renewable energy generation, and providing residents with information on home energy upgrades, all of which are central to this goal.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The project is a community-led initiative by the Belcarra Tidy Towns Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) aimed at creating long-term sustainability for the local community through planning and public engagement.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The entire event is framed as a “climate awareness” initiative and a “commitment to climate action.” The development of the EMP is a direct local response to mitigating climate change.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article describes a partnership between multiple stakeholders, including a community group (Belcarra Tidy Towns SEC), a government body (SEAI), a local school (Belcarra National School), and private sector companies (Westquay Energy, Churchfield Home Services).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The art competition and exhibition in Belcarra National School directly contribute to educating students on sustainability and climate action.
2. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The Energy Master Plan’s goal to outline opportunities for “renewable energy generation” aligns with this target.
3. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The EMP’s focus on “energy savings” and providing information on “home energy upgrades” directly supports improving energy efficiency within the community.
4. Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The development of Belcarra’s Energy Master Plan is a clear example of a community implementing an integrated plan for climate change mitigation.
5. Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. The “climate awareness through art exhibition” is a direct action to improve education and awareness on climate change within the community.
6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The collaboration between the Belcarra SEC, SEAI, the national school, and energy consultants/companies exemplifies this type of partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicator for Target 4.7/13.3: The number of students participating in the climate-themed art competition and the number of artworks permanently displayed to serve as a “public visual reminder” of climate action.
2. Implied Indicator for Target 7.2/7.3: The creation and launch of the community’s Energy Master Plan. The amount of funding (€20,000) secured from SEAI to prepare the plan is a concrete measure of investment in this goal. The number of energy information stands at the event providing practical advice to residents.
3. Implied Indicator for Target 11.b: The formal development and future launch of the Energy Master Plan for the Belcarra community.
4. Implied Indicator for Target 17.17: The number and type of organizations involved in the partnership, including the community committee (SEC), a government agency (SEAI), an educational institution (Belcarra National School), and private sector consultants and companies.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: westernpeople.ie