What we learned from speaking with staff about climate action

Introduction

Across Ireland, every Local Authority has a Climate Action Plan (CAP) tailored to the unique climate and biodiversity challenges in its area. Each council has a dedicated climate team working to embed these actions across all departments.

To better understand staff awareness, attitudes, and motivations around climate action, the climate units in Cork City Council and Limerick City and County Council ran staff surveys. We wanted to know:

• Is human activity driving climate change?
• What climate actions are staff and the organisation already taking?
• How can we get colleagues involved in a staff-led Climate Champions network to do more for climate action?

Cork City Council ran its survey in late 2023 and received 101 responses. Limerick followed in July 2025 with 189 submissions – one of the strongest response rates to an internal survey in the council. 9%  of staff from both councils (combined) took part in the survey.

In Limerick, the survey supported Action G10 of the CAP and the rollout of implementation teams to champion climate action across the organisation. In Cork, the survey aligned with CAP commitments to strengthen cross-directorate collaboration (Action 1.3) and energise staff-led initiatives through the Climate Champions programme (Action 1.16).

Both surveys offered valuable insights into what staff are already doing to address climate change – and revealed strong interest in joining the Climate Champions, a staff-led network driving climate action from within.

Limerick City and County Council and Cork City Council

Survey Results

The surveys produced strikingly similar responses that also aligned with results in national surveys produced by the Environmental Protection Agency (Climate Change in the Irish Mind).

Most staff agree that climate change is real, human-driven, and already affecting both cities. Colleagues chat about climate issues ‘every now and then’, with 96% of all respondents believing that individuals can help reduce the effects of climate change.  There were ample examples of how staff reduce their impact daily, such as turning off taps and computers, recycling and composting at work, using keep cups or in-house delph, using public transport, availing of the bike-to-work scheme, and driving electric vehicles. Staff also demonstrated a good understanding of energy and water usage, biodiversity, and flooding.

Who has the power to drive change?

Of the 290 surveyed, most think that central government, businesses and industries, international organisations, and local government, in that order, have the most significant influence on tackling climate change. Individuals and environmental organisations were ranked least influential.

Limerick City and County Council

With the high level of understanding demonstrated in the responses, staff want their councils to take a bolder lead delivering on climate action. Most staff in both councils are aware that their council has climate policies. In Limerick, 45% are unsure of what climate actions the council is currently undertaking, but 85% think the priority level should be ‘high’ or ‘very high’ for implementing actions. In Cork City, 86% of staff are aware of climate-related policies or actions, and a resounding 90% think that the council could be doing more to tackle climate change.

Between the two councils, there were 143 suggestions for collective climate action efforts. Staff asked: ‘how energy efficient are council buildings?’; ‘is there data on the carbon footprint for staff business travel?’; ‘can we streamline green procurement?’; ‘why are we not paperless?’. They dealt with topics such as resource and energy management in offices, incentives for implementing actions, dissemination of information, and the need for more urgency in our response to the climate and biodiversity crisis.

Limerick City and County Council

Staff training and communications

In terms of training, the majority of Limerick respondents cited the Raising Awareness Programme, coordinated by LASTNG and CARO (online) – all new entrants complete this programme via the Training Unit. However, they would like to learn more about:

• Home energy and retrofitting;
• Personal sustainability;
• Renewable and clean technologies;
• How technology use impacts the environment;
• Construction-related knowledge (where materials come from); and
• The causes of climate change overall.

There is, unquestionably, scope to better communicate the training opportunities already in place that align with the requested training. Indeed, that aligns with staff suggestions from both councils for improved internal communications on the progress, challenges, opportunities and successes from departments or sections around climate action overall.

Cork City Council

Key learnings and outcomes: staff leading the way

Climate conversations can be overwhelming. The jargon can be complicated and confusing. Simplifying the language and highlighting the ‘wins’ related to climate action would be welcomed – as several respondents said: ‘cut the waffle’.  Training that is department focused or bespoke to specific work areas appears to be important. Green procurement guidelines on what to ask contractors, suppliers and services are also desirable. While many staff suggested incentivising staff to walk/cycle to work, they also called for better facilities for those who do. Others mention digitising as much as possible, to run fun ‘green’ competitions between departments, and to share knowledge.

In both councils, there was overwhelming interest in taking part in a Climate Champions Programme. These are flexible staff-led programmes consisting of field trips, presentations, knowledge sharing and gathering which is shared throughout the organisation at team meetings and climate action newsletters.

The Climate Champions programmes are now addressing many of the suggestions from staff. The Champions partake in a wide range of activities, such as managing compost bins in kitchenettes and offices, installing a clothes swap rail, introducing ReTurn bins that benefit local charities, helping with a community garden, going on site visits, taking part in the 2025 All-Ireland CoastWatch Survey, and hosting talks on issues such as online disinformation and energy use. Participation in the programme has the approval of senior management with Champions afforded time to attend activities.

The Limerick programme loans Home Energy kits to staff. Each Champion completes a survey during the borrow time and a follow-up two months after, to give feedback and to share their experiences with the wider organisation.

The success of the Champions programmes reflects the results of the surveys: our staff are concerned about climate change, and they want to do something about it. The programmes help to bridge siloes, allowing staff to share information on climate-positive projects in their areas, giving them time and space to learn from one another, and helping to answer staff calls for ‘what are we actually doing?’. It turns out that we’re doing more than we knew!

If any other council Climate Action Teams are interested in surveying their staff or establishing Climate Champions programmes, do get in touch with us.

Limerick City and County Council – [email protected]

Cork City Council – [email protected]